Michele Drake

Led strategic software development initiatives across Stewardship & Compliance, Regulatory Science, Administration, Applied Science & Technology, and Maize Product Development. Oversaw full lifecycle delivery for complex, multi-year programs supporting global research and compliance operations.

Research Scientist / Lead Research Analyst & Project Manager - Corteva Agriscience / Pioneer Hi-Bred

(2003-01 - 2026-06)

Led strategic software development initiatives across Stewardship & Compliance, Regulatory Science, Administration, Applied Science & Technology, and Maize Product Development. Oversaw full lifecycle delivery for complex, multi-year programs supporting global research and compliance operations.

• Directed strategic planning, requirements elicitation, and cross-functional alignment with product owners and SMEs.
• Managed project scope, timelines, and delivery across multiple technical teams.
• Led conflict resolution, root-cause analysis, and quality assurance to ensure reliable product releases.
• Oversaw implementation of enterprise systems used across global research and compliance functions.
• Maintained predictable delivery through fully pointed backlogs of Epics, Features, and Stories.

User Application Support Coordinator - DuPont Specialty Grains

(1998-01 - 2002-12)

Led development teams designing, testing, and deploying systems supporting Research, Sales, Marketing, and Operations.

• Conducted needs assessments and gathered business input for project prioritization.
• Created executive summaries to support leadership decision-making.
• Defined scope, timelines, and deliverables; provided direction to contract development staff.
• Ensured alignment between business requirements and technical implementation.

Senior User Services Support Consultant - Pioneer Hi-Bred

(1987-02 - 1997-12)

Provided global information management support for research programs in nutritional services, alfalfa, sorghum, soybean, and wheat product development.

• Delivered training, support, and software guidance to research staff worldwide.
• Gathered user input to design, enhance, and test proprietary research software.
• Supported operational efficiency across multiple research facilities.

Summer Associate (Seasonal) - Pioneer Hi-Bred - Willmar, MN

(1984-03 - 1986-10)

Supported corn research nursery and yield plot operations in Willmar, MN.

• Planning
• Thinning
• Note-taking
• Pollinating
• Harvesting
• General field research tasks

Bachelor of Science - General Agriculture - South Dakota State University (1986-05)