Pelin Thorogood

Business leader, Change Agent, Engineer, Foodie, Parent, Social entrepreneur, World traveler

Pelin Thorogood, an Inc. 200 Female Founder, is the Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Radicle Science, an AI-powered healthtech Public Benefit Corporation recognized by Fast Company as a World Changing Idea for transforming how clinical evidence is generated for non-pharmaceutical health solutions. Radicle is building the clinical evidence infrastructure for wellness—bringing rigorous clinical proof of effectiveness to supplements, functional foods, and other non-prescription interventions through a patent-pending platform that combines AI, consumer science, and real-world clinical trials at unprecedented speed, scale, and precision. Since 2021, Radicle has studied more Americans in blinded, placebo-controlled trials than all FDA drug approval trials combined over the same period. Pelin is a tech executive turned impact entrepreneur who has built her career at the forefront of emerging technologies, data, and analytics. Previously, she was a MarTech pioneer, serving in C-level roles including CEO across both public and private companies. Deeply committed to impact, education, and community, Pelin serves as Vice Chair and Trustee of the UC San Diego Foundation and as Chair of the UC San Diego Chancellor’s Council for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She holds a B.S., M.Eng., and MBA from Cornell University. Pelin is also an outdoors enthusiast, avid adventure traveler, and proud mom of two amazing kids and three dogs.

Making proven precision natural medicines accessible to all

What if... the greatest unlock for human healthspan isn’t better sick care—but proven, precision wellness delivered with the speed, scale, and rigor of modern science?

Analytics, entrepreneurship, natural products, proof-as-a-service, strategy

When I was 18, I moved to the United States from my home country of Turkey to study engineering and business at Cornell University on merit scholarships. Being no stranger to hard work, I “leaned in” upon graduation and did very well professionally. In my thirties, I was promoted to a C-level position in a publicly held tech company, while also managing to have a family. It appeared I had it all - except it didn’t quite feel that way. Being an outdoors enthusiast, I had always felt the pull of nature, needing to spend time away from an office environment to be my most creative and effective self. My two young kids also added to my desire for a more balanced life. However it was a family health crisis in the end that brought things to a head, leading me to pause and reexamine my life. I realized though I was proud of “how” I did “what” I did in my career, it was now time for me to focus on the “why” and follow my passion…so upon much self reflection, I decided to venture into the hitherto unknown world of natural wellness by co-founding both a B-corp (Radicle Science) and a non-profit (Wholistic.org). I have also become a trustee for UC San Dieg to continue to give back to community and education in my beloved San Diego. It’s been an amazing journey. In addition to feeling truly grateful for the opportunity to make a real difference in the world, I also revel in being a better role model for my kids who watch me juggle life as purposeful impact entrepreneur, mother and wife with a smile on my face.

Adventure travel with my two kids, including white water rafting and alpine mountaineering