Board of Directors

Dick Blackader

Dick Blackader joined Botanic Innovations in 2010 as Chief Operating Officer, bringing with him decades of operational leadership experience. In 2016, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Director, guiding the company through a period of growth and transformation. Since 2018, he has continued to contribute as a Director and CEO Emeritus, offering strategic oversight and counsel.

Prior to Botanic Innovations, Dick built a successful career with 3M, Imation, and Accenture, where he honed his expertise in operations management, logistics, field service, resource cost management, and sales support. He has a proven track record of leading complex organizations, managing P&Ls, driving business development, and executing large-scale change management initiatives.

Dick holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Management from the University of Redlands.

John R. MacDonald, Ph.D.

Dr. MacDonald has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of pharmaceutical drug development and licensing. He led the preclinical and clinical R&D efforts at MGI Pharma, a Twin Cities based oncology-focused company, from 1996 until retiring as Senior VP R&D at the end of 2005. Dr. MacDonald served as a member of the MGI corporate management team that built the company through product and company acquisitions leading to the acquisition of MGI by Eisai, Inc. Prior to joining MGI, Dr. MacDonald worked in the Parke-Davis Research Division of Warner-Lambert participating in the early development of numerous well-known therapeutics. After retiring from MGI he has acted as the CEO of PepTx, Inc. a company based on University of Minnesota technology and as a consultant to pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions as the founder of Ridge Road Consulting. He is currently active in development of breast cancer therapy and diagnostics as acting Senior VP of R&D for Celcuity, Inc. and as a board member for Martell Diagnostic Laboratories, Inc. Dr. MacDonald earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Arizona, a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Michigan, and held postdoc and research faculty positions in the Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, School of Medicine.

Todd Mirzai, MD

Todd Mirzai, MD is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon licensed in Hawaii and California.  He maintains a part-time clinical practice with offices on the Hawaiian Islands of Maui and Oahu under the name Mirzai Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics. He is Co-founder, CEO and Director of XYZen, Inc. an early stage Visual Feedback Technology company.  Dr. Mirzai previously served as Partner at Strathspey Crown Holdings and has been a director, seed-stage investor and advisor to numerous early and growth stage companies.

Charles Muscoplat, PhD.

Dr. Muscoplat retired from the University of Minnesota in 2019 as Professor of Food Science and Nutrition and an adjunct professor of Medicine and Microbiology. He was formerly Vice President of Agricultural Policy and Dean, College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Minnesota. Dr. Muscoplat has more than twenty years in the pharmaceutical industry with MGI Pharma, Inc. and has successfully developed new drugs from the laboratory to FDA approval. While at the University Muscoplat also assisted faculty in commercializing pharmaceutical inventions.

Gregory R. (Greg) Palen

Greg Palen has enjoyed a long and successful career as executive, entrepreneur and investor in companies spanning various industries. Currently he is an advisor and investor at Spectro Alloys, Coldspring, Proov, Syght, Cureium Healthcare Holdings and Botanic Innovations.

He served as chairman of the board at Polaris and was a board member at Valspar, Fabcon, Opus Northwest, St John’s University.

He holds a BA from St. John’s University and an MBA at the University of Minnesota.

Rebecca Blahosky

Rebecca Blahosky is a dynamic business leader with more than 20 years of
experience in sales, marketing, and business development within the personal care, wellness, and specialty ingredients industries. She has held senior leadership roles at companies ranging from entrepreneurial ventures to global organizations, where she has been recognized for driving market expansion, building high-performing teams, and leading innovation in highly regulated
environments.

In addition to her executive experience, Rebecca brings a strong foundation in FDA compliance, cGMP, FSMA, and product development, along with a track record of building strategic partnerships across R&D, marketing, and operations. She is an active member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) and Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW).

Rebecca earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from St. Cloud State University. She is passionate about advancing innovation in personal care and wellness while mentoring emerging leaders and fostering collaborative partnerships that drive sustainable growth.

Elizabeth Bancroft Closmore

Elizabeth B. Closmore is the Co-Founder and President of Commotion, a pioneering company
driving the future of connected customer experience software. With nearly two decades of
leadership in digital strategy, brand innovation, and enterprise software, she has built a reputation
as a visionary leader at the intersection of technology, customer engagement, and growth
strategy.

Before launching Commotion in 2022, Elizabeth spent more than a decade at Sprinklr, where
she held senior leadership roles including Global Head of Product Evangelism & Partnerships,
Vice President of Strategic Accounts, and Director of Client Service & Strategy. During her
tenure, she helped scale the company into a global leader in customer experience management,
spearheading strategic partnerships and shaping product adoption across Fortune 500
organizations. Earlier in her career, Elizabeth led digital and social innovation at Target, Hearst,
and Rodale, where she played a pivotal role in designing strategies that bridged traditional
marketing with emerging digital platforms.

Passionate about creating meaningful connections between people and brands, Elizabeth brings
expertise in social media, digital strategy, and branding to her work as both an operator and
board leader.

She holds a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies from the University of
Wisconsin–Madison and is an alumna of Phillips Exeter Academy.