Pilanda Watkins-Curry
Olokun Minerals
Chief Technology Officer
Pilanda Watkins-Curry, Ph.D. is a Solid-State Chemist that has experience in product and technology development within both the private and public sectors. Upon receiving her doctorate in Chemistry, She started her career as a Senior Researcher at ExxonMobil working in lubricant manufacturing and finished lubricant formulation in industrial applications, such as combined-cycle, steam, and gas turbines, wind turbines, and circualting oils. She also has management and leadership experience working as a Team Lead at Imperial Oil, and then became the Wax Research & Development Program Lead studying wax in adhesives, PVC, and candles. After her time within the Oil & Gas industry, she joined the Department of Treasury working at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing as a Technology Project Manager. Her work there focused on developing new security feature technologies for banknote development on U.S. currency. Pilanda has experience in working through the technology readiness level process from concept to commercialization and in the strategy and management of Intellectual Property. She is using that experience to lead the Research and Development at Olokun Minerals as the Chief Technology Officer. Pilanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Spelman College, and a Doctorate of Chemistry from Louisiana State University.
