Growing up in Warsaw, Indiana—known as the “Orthopedic Capital of the World”—Paige Oliver ’00 (Biology, Chemistry) always thought she’d pursue a career in physical therapy. The University of Indianapolis was an easy choice thanks to its nationally ranked physical therapy (PT) program.
To prepare for her application, Oliver chose to major in both biology and chemistry and added a minor in psychology, covering all three of the most common PT prep disciplines. She was determined to stand out.
That ambitious course load—combined with the challenging curriculum of the Ron & Laura Strain Honors College—meant plenty of hours in the lab, where Oliver not only discovered a love for research but also developed strong relationships with her professors. That support, both academic and personal, would prove pivotal. In fact, it was the intervention of two professors, Dr. Joe Burnell and Dr. Katherine Stickney, that set Oliver on her successful path.
One day, in her junior year, Dr. Burnell and Dr. Katherine Stickney pulled Oliver aside after class to discuss her next steps. Drs. Burnell and Stickney had seen her passion in the lab and knew that it might be a better fit for her than physical therapy. They told her about a paid internship opportunity at Dow AgroSciences and encouraged her to apply.
She was hesitant – “I don’t know if I see myself working in a lab in the future.” – but trusted their feedback. She took the leap, was hired for the internship, and spent a transformative semester working at Dow AgroSciences.
“That support – them seeing something in me that I didn’t see in myself and providing strong, direct feedback – empowered me to get that internship, which completely changed the course of my life,” said Oliver. “So, I owe a lot to all of my professors at UIndy, but especially Dr. Burnell and Dr. Stickney.”
That semester-long internship was the launchpad for a career that has since spanned the globe. Over the next 16 years, Oliver advanced at Dow AgroSciences, holding roles from Discovery Chemist to Human Resources Manager to Greater China Crop Protection R&D Field Science Business Partner. She and her family relocated to Shanghai, where they spent two years immersing themselves in Chinese culture and developing a global mindset.
After Dow and DuPont merged, Oliver took on the Asia-Pacific R&D Field Science Leadership role, based out of Singapore. In June 2019, Corteva was formed. Oliver led a diverse team of scientists from around the region.
“When you’re in a culture that’s so different, you tend to ask more questions. It’s humbling,” she said. “One major lesson that came out of that experience was not to make assumptions. I always encourage people to start expanding their comfort zones.”
That curiosity continues to shape her work today. Now based in Indiana, Oliver serves as the Global R&D Sustainability Program Lead at Corteva. While sustainability wasn’t her original area of study, the mindset she developed at UIndy still serves her well.
“I remember Dr. Stickney saying, ‘I’m going to teach you chemistry, but I’m also going to teach you how to ask questions and find the answers, too, because this isn’t the be-all, end-all,’” Oliver said. “That approach has stuck with me ever since.”
In her current role, Oliver brings together teams from across the company, not just those in R&D or sustainability, to shape collaborative, creative, and future-focused initiatives.
“They all have such different perspectives and don’t always agree,” she said. “But in the end, we end up getting something so much better than the original idea.”
As the Global R&D Sustainability Program Lead, Oliver ensures that every new project in Corteva’s pipeline contributes to Corteva’s Sustainable Innovation criteria aligned to the themes of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She also works with over 120 research centers and farms around the world to help them meet their own sustainability objectives. From improving water use efficiency to enhancing soil health, her work, along with all of her collaborative partners, helps farmers adopt practices that are both environmentally responsible and economically viable.
“Sustainability matters to farmers because they need to increase productivity and profitability at the same time,” Oliver explained. “We want them to be able to responsibly grow their yields and pass down a profitable farm to the next generation. That’s what we do.”
That impact—on people, communities, and the future of global food systems—fuels Oliver’s passion.
“I get to have a positive impact on food security every single day,” she said. “That’s what has driven me throughout my whole career.”
In addition to her role, Oliver supports food access through Corteva teams and her volunteer work. She collaborates with a team of leaders through the Corteva Grows Indianapolis Food Security Network, which manages a community garden at their Global Headquarters on the northside of Indianapolis, and works with seven local community partners.
“We grow about 10,000 pounds of produce every year and donate it to local pantries,” said Oliver. “Last year marked our tenth anniversary and our goal of 100,000 pounds. It’s just wonderful to be able to give back to the community.”
Her dedication to local agriculture has also led to her appointment on the Indiana Grown Commission. The initiative, created by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, promotes products that are grown or made by Hoosiers and benefits local producers across the state.
From a college lab in Indianapolis to global leadership in sustainability, Oliver’s journey has been shaped by curiosity, mentorship, and the courage to take a different path—qualities sparked during her time at UIndy and carried into every chapter of her career.
And for current UIndy students looking to make a positive impact in their communities, Oliver encourages them to start now.
“You can make a difference right where you are today, so just start. Get curious. Take that next step, then the next, and the next. Leadership is action-oriented.”