Kristi Bowers
CEO at Grape.ag - Data Driven Agriculture
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About
I’m the co-founder and CEO of Grape.ag, where we’re using AI and sustainable practices to transform vineyard management, proving that technology can support both business and the greater good. Alongside Grape.ag, I manage Kings Mountain Vineyards, a sustainably farmed family vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains that embodies our dedication to tradition and the land. As a Santa Clara University Trustee, I bring my experience and values to the Board, contributing to committees on investment, academic affairs, and more. My deep connection to the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics—founded by my family—has shaped my belief in applied ethics as the cornerstone of effective leadership and business. Through board roles with organizations like The BASIC Fund and the 49ers Foundation, I advocate for ethical technology, educational access, and community-driven impact, extending my commitment to building a more connected, value-centered world.
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Special Interests
Ask Me About 
Sustainable AgTech Strategy
Values-Based Board Leadership
Philanthropic Impact & Ethics Strategy
Ethical Decision-Making
Wisdom at Work
Notable Roles
CEO & Co-founder, Grape.ag
I co-founded a company focused on innovative, data-driven agriculture, merging technology with sustainable practices to benefit people, the land, and the industry at large.
Trustee and Secretary, Santa Clara University Board of Trustees
As a dedicated SCU alumna, I’ve served as Secretary of the Board and contributed to committees on investments, academic affairs, and facilities planning, all with an eye toward upholding and advancing the university’s mission.
Director, Markkula Foundation
As director of our family’s philanthropic foundation, I’ve worked to further the reach of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics and champion values-based programs in education, healthcare, and technology.
Areas of Expertise
Values-Driven AgTech Leadership
As CEO of Grape.ag, I lead with a vision for integrating AI and sustainability into vineyard management, proving that technology and tradition can complement each other to build a better world.
Applied Ethics and Community-Centered Leadership
My lifelong involvement with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics has informed my perspective on business and community. I strive to live out values of transparency, integrity, and service, especially in board and leadership roles.
Educational Philanthropy and Board Governance
Through board roles with Santa Clara University, The BASIC Fund, and others, I work to expand educational access and governance excellence, prioritizing initiatives that elevate ethics and community impact.
Key Achievements
Grape.ag’s Values-Driven Mission
By creating a company that champions both technology and ethical stewardship, we’ve shown that innovation in agriculture can be both profitable and purposeful.
Educational Impact through The BASIC Fund
Helped award over $55 million in scholarships, supporting educational access for over 17,000 children, ensuring more students have the opportunity to succeed.
Practical Ethics in Silicon Valley
Through leadership in the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics and advisory roles, I’ve advocated for ethics as an essential part of the business landscape, especially in tech, where value-driven decisions make for a better industry and a better world.
Wisdom is what we acquire through experience, knowledge and judgment. Impact is what we create when we share it.
Summary of Skills
