Octavio Soares

Global Head of Seed Supply Excellence, BASF Agricultural Solutions

he/him/his

Octavio Soares is the Global Head of Seed Supply Excellence for BASF Agricultural Solutions. From 2012 to 2018, he served as the Director of Operations for BASF Agricultural Solutions, North America.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil, Octavio started his career with Akzo Nobel in Brazil. He has two advanced degrees from UNIFACS (in Brazil) – an MBA in Business Management and an MA in Organizational Psychology. In 2002 Octavio came to the US as a delegate and later localized. In 2012, Octavio became a US Citizen.

During his time away from work, Octavio enjoys spending time with his wife Heather, his two grandkids, Karsen and AJ, his three pet snakes, Gwenn, Martha and Rosie, and his 9 Sugar Gliders. Octavio is proudly a member of the LGBTQ+ community and out as pansexual. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Foodbank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. He strongly believes that food goes beyond a basic need, it is a way to share love. He has engaged throughout his life in numerous activities relating to helping feed those who are hungry, including soup kitchens, food pantries and food banks.