Staff

Dr. Shefali Mehta

Executive Director, Soil Health Partners

Shefali Mehta is an agricultural and environmental economist who has spent the past 10+ years helping organizations develop and implement holistic strategies to address their complex problems.

In 2018 she became the Executive Director of Soil Health Partners, a farmer-led initiative that fosters transformation in agriculture through improved soil health, benefiting both farmer profitability and the environment. With more than 100 working farms enrolled in 14 states, the SHP tests, measures and advances progressive farm management practices that will enhance sustainability and farm economics for generations to come.

She is also currently the CEO and co-founder of an agricultural technology start-up, Applied Quantum Energies. The start-up aims to revolutionize how we feed the world by using a unique proprietary technology that increases food production without chemicals, heat, radiation or genetic modification.

Dr. Mehta founded and leads Open Rivers Consulting Associates, where she and her team tackle some of their clients’ toughest challenges by finding collaborative economic- and science-based solutions. Prior to founding Open Rivers, Dr. Mehta worked in roles across private, public and non-profit sectors at organizations including McKinsey and Company, Syngenta, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, St. Olaf College, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and the American Cancer Society. She serves as a Board member of several impactful organizations: the conservation organization Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (recently served as Vice Chair of the Board, the first woman to hold this position), Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pest Center (MITPPC), and the School of Statistics at University of Minnesota.