Joanne Rodriguez
CEO/Founder, LEED AP, PDC, Fitwel Ambassador, CDTle
Joanne has worked across the construction products industry for over 3 decades. She is a subject matter expert in sustainable technologies-like zero waste and the circular economy, and she has experience leading diverse teams to unprecedented growth. Leading the sustainability efforts for a major building manufacturing company, Joanne saw the growing problems related to the disposal of construction and demolition waste and its negative impact on human and environmental health. Mycocycle was started with the goal of improving recycling rates of the 4th largest waste stream being landfilled: construction and demolition debris and now addresses some of the highest volume waste streams generated daily. Recognized for her innovation by Forbes Magazine, FastCompany, The Biomimicry Institute. Argonne National Laboratory, and the EPA she is shifting the paradigm on how we view waste: as a reusable resource, not a burden. She has participated in convenings at the United Nations, Clinton Global Initiative, and GreenBiz while lending her technical expertise to the US Green Building Council, the American Energy Innovators Network, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Daniel Reyes
VP of Research and Innovation
Daniel was most recently a consulting mycologist with Mycocycle and played an integral role in the science behind the company’s process to convert C&D waste into reusable materials. He joined the company in 2022 as VP of Research and Innovation and has assumed the overarching research for Mycocycle U.S., Mexico, and Poland. Prior to Mycocycle, Daniel was a research scientist at Unidad de Química UNAM, co-founded the Central Texas Mycological Society and served as director of operations at Myco Alliance. Daniel earned a B.S. degree in Hydrogeology from the University of Texas at Austin.
Colin Litow
VP of Products and Operations
Colin came to Mycocycle in 2022 from Continuus Materials, a circular waste-to-value manufacturer that uses paper and plastic waste to manufacture building products. He has a strong background in product and brand management, having launched several innovative products to market during his time at James Hardie Building Products and the Kraft Heinz Company. As Vice President of Product Development, he will lead the rollout of Mycocycle’s solutions to the broader market. Colin earned a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Syracuse University, an M.S. in structural engineering from the University of Wisconsin and an M.B.A in marketing and strategy from the University of Michigan.
Barb Mitchell
Executive Administrator
Barb came to Mycocycle in 2021 after a 25-year teaching career. Her decades in the classroom have helped her develop a mastery of organizational excellence, communication, and public relations and she is well suited to help Mycocycle successfully move forward. Barb earned a B.S. in Education/Special Education from the University of Akron.
Gwen Schretter
Lead Lab Technician
Gwen has been working for Mycocycle since 2021. While being the Lead Lab Technician, she is also a full time college student at Aurora University where she will be receiving her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability in 2024. She plans on continuing her academic journey soon after graduating. Her favorite part of working for Mycocycle is meeting so many brilliant people who care for the environment. She has really enjoyed watching the team and company grow over the years and is looking forward to what the future holds!
Ben Knutson
Lab Technician
Ben has worked for Mycocycle since 2021. Ben has previous experience with property management and being a chef’s assistant. He focusses on scaling up production of spawn production and aiding in various lab experiments. He has a strong passion for mycology and learning how to produce the highest quality product using the power of mycelium!
Wendy Uhls
Manager, Mycology Production Lab
Wendy joined Mycocycle in 2023 from Nature’s Fynd, an alternative proteins manufacturer that uses fungi as a sustainable protein source where she managed the co-manufacturing quality program. She has a background in microbiology, quality systems, project management, product and equipment qualifications during her time with Diageo, McDonald’s Corporation and Green Thumb Industries. As the Manager, Mycology Production Lab, she will support the commercialization and production at the Bolingbrook facility.
