Mel Luetkens

Mel Luetkens has over 35 years of work experience in the chemical industry. In 1984, they began their career with BP as a Manager and later became the Director of European Technology. In 2004, they moved to Innovene as a Director. Mel then joined Ineos in 2005 as a Manager. In 2007, they were appointed as the COO of Elevance Renewable Sciences, a company that used renewable natural oils to create a diverse portfolio of specialty chemical products. In 2016, they began their own Consulting Services business as the Principal Owner. In 2020, they joined Kiverdi, Inc. as an Advisor and also became the COO/CTO of Sylvatex, a small business dedicated to commercializing sustainable chemistry solutions. Finally, in 2021, they were appointed as the CEO of Pyran Inc., a rapidly growing company that uses renewable crop feedstocks to make 1,5-pentanediol.

Mel Luetkens completed their Bachelor of Arts in Science from Concordia University Chicago in 1976. Mel then went on to receive their PhD in Chemistry from the University of Michigan in 1984. Lastly, they earned their MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1993.