Drew - Founder & CEO
Drew's first encountered carnivorous plants when he was 12 years old. Over the years, his collection has grown into one of the foremost in the world. His passion has led him to study habitats of these incredible plant species around the world and he's taken back this knowledge to design and build horticultural environments based.
Drew studied physics and biology at Stanford and then completed an M.S. in Optics from University of Arizona with thesis focused on design of LED grow lights. Drew worked in Silicon Valley biotech startups and nanotechnology companies for a decade (Pacific Biosciences, KLA-Tencor, Google X). In 2016, Drew and his family moved to Austin, TX in to build a state of the art nursery and laboratory to house Carnivero.
Bailee - Horticulture Manager
Background: I recently graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s in Horticulture Production. Prior to that I collected houseplants for several years.
Favorite plant: I am really fond of Amorphophallus titanum and really any Nepenthes!
What you enjoy most about your work: I find horticulture to be very relaxing and rewarding! I love getting to take care of carnivorous plants on such a large scale.
What you enjoy doing outside work: I love to read, take care of my plants, and baking. I also love taking care of my pets!
Halia - Lab Manager
Background: I'm an ecologist with a background in entomology, wetland ecosystems, forestry, and animal medicine. My master's thesis investigated environmental and genetic factors that impact the reproductive success of Sarracenia alata populations in Texas.
Favorite Plant: I have too many! but standing next to a Giant Sequoia has never disappointed.
What do you enjoy most about your work: I get to continue researching carnivorous plants but from a new perspective.
What you enjoy doing outside of work: My pup, Lincoln, and I are having fun exploring Austin, growing medicinal plants, weight lifting, camping, and learning new hobbies like painting and playing the piano.
Janine - Customer Service and Fulfillment Manager
Background: Before working at Carnivero I managed a UPS Store for a few years, so I have a lot of experience with packaging, the shipping industry and customer service.
Favorite Plant: Pinguicula Moctezumae, it catches all the pests in my green space and it has an adorable pink flower.
What do you enjoy most about your work: I like selecting the perfect plant for a customer and making sure it is packed with care.
What you enjoy doing outside of work: In my free time I like to fuss over my indoor plants, check out local music or comic book shops with my family, take my dog on hikes and try out new recipes in the kitchen.
Mason - Sales Manager
Background: I am a multifaceted person with a diverse array of passions and expertise. As a board member of the International Aroid Society, I contribute actively to the advancement of knowledge and appreciation for aroids worldwide, personally focusing on velvet anthurium and monstera species.
Beyond my botanical pursuits, I am deeply engaged in the world of exotic animals as an avid hobbyist, breeding and caring for a variety of species. My enthusiasm for both plants and animals is complemented by a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where I specialized in classical printmaking and contemporary drawing forms.
Favorite Plant: Anthurium papillilaminum (specifically the Ree Clone)
What do you enjoy most about your work: I love collaborating with the incredibly talented team at Carnivero, surrounded by some of my favorite plants.
What you enjoy doing outside of work: Outside of work, I take care of my own personal zoo of sorts. I have a Black-capped caique, American dilute green-cheek conure, green-crested turaco, snakes, geckos, and everything else you can think of.
Keith - Operations
Background: Originally Im from Alabama were I worked in a cracker plant feedin' the fire, Now Im a true Austinite living and loving with my two pups.
Favorite Plant: Im obsessed with the colorful oxalis I have growing in all my plants. My favorite part is when there seed pods explode.
What do you enjoy most about your work: I like helping customers choose the right plants for them.
What you enjoy doing outside of work: In my leisure I love knocking down pins on the lane and chillaxing with my pups and a few brewskies, listenin' to Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Emily - Sales Associate
Background: Before I started at Carnivero, I always had a passion for plants and found myself in many nurseries, groups, anything I could use to learn more about plants. Also, Working customer service for 6 years helps me look from the customers eyes to ensure their happiness!
Favorite plant: too many to pick but I have a new found love for anthuriums
What do you enjoy most about your work? I enjoy being able to put myself in the customers shoes to pick out the perfect plant for them and make sure it’s packaged with care
What you enjoy doing outside of work: Outside (and inside) of work i love to grow my plant collection, cuddle with my dog, and spend time with family.
Karina - Lab Technician
Background: I received a bachelor’s in biology at Texas State University where I was able to further expand my hobbies in entomology, bone collecting, and geology.
Favorite Plant: Curio rowleyanus but that might change as I learn more about plants!
What do you enjoy most about your work? I love being part of something that brings joy into peoples lives and getting to partake in that joy myself.
What you enjoy doing outside of work: I’m always looking for something to add to my personal natural history museum, if not you can find me roller skating.
Lui - Lab Technician
Background: I learned my aseptic technique from my time as an undergrad growing Arabidopsis at Purdue University. My main experience with tissue culture is from my time with DOW Agroscience working on their plants taking them from tissue culture out into growing chambers and finally their greenhouses.
Favorite Plant: Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis
What do you enjoy most about your work: I love learning about the Carnivorous plants, everyday its always something new to learn.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work: I love competing in fighting games. If I'm not doing that I'm either at the local botanical garden or tending to my own personal collection.
Kevin - Horticulture Team
Background: I began my career in the houseplant industry at Steve’s leaves where I was integral to the e-commerce operations and first began hybridizing begonias.
Favorite Plant: Begonia Montaniformis
What do you enjoy most about your work: I love the constant opportunity to learn about the biology and care of all the fascinating plants we grow.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work: I enjoy growing and hybridizing begonias. Many of my own hybrids are commercially available and have earned me the hybridizer of the year award at the 2024 American Begonia Society Southwest Regional conference. I also enjoy reading, strategy RPGs and dabbling in guitar.
Kaitlyn - Horticulture Team
Background: I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science from Texas State University, with a focus on horticulture and Texas native plant species. My studies emphasized sustainable cultivation practices, soil science, and the importance of native flora in Texas landscapes.
Favorite Plant: Im really inspired by the flowers and fine-textured leaves of Caesalpinia pulcherrima.
What do you enjoy most about your work: I love the intuitive work of tending to things without voices. Noticing the small changes in the plants growing habits/ health status is rewarding- especially if the plants are thriving.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work: I love making art inspired by the work that i do, and diving deeper into my connection with the earth. I also love being at home with my cats and tending to my garden.
Megan - Fulfillment Associate
Background: Originally an artist from the suburbs of Chicago, I discovered my passion for livestock work and regenerative farming after moving to Whidbey Island, Washington, in 2022. While I've worked on several farms, my experience has primarily been with livestock. I'm proud to say that I've now learned an incredible amount about plant care!
Favorite Plant: My favorite carnivorous plants are any of the sundews. Beyond that, I adore philodendrons, anything that vines, and plants that provide ground cover!
What do you enjoy most about your work: I most enjoy learning about the beautiful tropical and carnivorous plants from our extremely knowledgeable team! Plant education is definitely a top priority at Carnivero
What do you enjoy doing outside of work: Hiking/nature walks are a necessity for me, but I also enjoy altering clothing and creating spooky art through character design!
Tristan - Fulfillment Associate
Background: I am from Lafayette Louisiana but have lived in Austin Texas for nearly 10 years. I enjoy cooking and taking care of my plants as hobbies. I also enjoy playing video games and watching movies on my free time. I have been a chef for nearly 8 years now and just recently got into growing plants and landscaping.
Favorite Plant: my favorite plant is you need drosera spatulata.
What do you enjoy most about your work: What I enjoy most about work is getting to learn about the different plants and how to care for them and also being able to be outside part of the day at work.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work: Outside of work i enjoy being outdoors and playing video games
Hannah - Storefront Associate
Background: I hold a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin with a minor in Slavic Languages. Throughout my career, I’ve done storytelling and branding for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and businesses alike. Now at Carnivero, I fuse my love of writing, people, and nature by assisting customers in our storefront and sharing Carnivero’s passion and expertise online.
Favorite Plant: Oxalis triangularis
What do you enjoy most about your work: My favorite part about this role is learning the stories behind the plants and the people who love them.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work: Regardless of what I’m doing, I am almost always doing it outside: writing, reading, gardening, obstacle course training, or going on walks with my corgi, Basil.
Emjay - Storefront Associate
Background: I’ve spent over twenty years in Learning and Development. I’ve always been passionate about teaching and creating spaces where people feel curious and capable, so stepping into the plant world felt surprisingly familiar.
Favorite Plant: Anthuriums - especially the veiny, dramatic ones. And honestly anything Nepenthes. They’re weird, striking, and a little extra… like me on a good day.
What do you enjoy most about your work: I love being surrounded by people who get it, people who see plants as more than decor. Helping someone pick out their first carnivorous plant (or their fiftieth) never gets old. Plus, I get to nerd out about plants and call it “work.”
What do you enjoy doing outside of work:
When I’m off the clock, I’m usually tending to my plant collection, crafting, reading, traveling, immersing myself in music, watching the latest movies, or creating something. I also love exploring nurseries, and spending time with my family, dogs, and way too many houseplants.
Emily T - Storefront Associate
Background: I am a computer scientist who loves plants and collects mostly airoids. A friend gave me a ping as a Christmas gift which began an interest in carnivorous plants.
Favorite Plant: Any anthurium or ping
What do you enjoy most about your work: I enjoy walking into the store in the morning. It’s peaceful and beautiful and you have a feeling it will be a wonderful day.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work: Outside work I play board games, bake, play with my dog, and shop for my personal plant collection.
Jesse - Live Sale host
Background: originally from CA, I worked in nonprofit youth development programs for several years.
Favorite Plant: Foxglove
What do you enjoy most about your work: I really liked building the greenhouses.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work: soccer, Legos, refurbishing furniture, woodworking
Savannah- Live Sale Host
Background: I come from a long line of green thumbs but fell in love with aroids around 2019! I work full time as an elementary school social worker but I always have time for plants!
Favorite Plant: current favorite is my anthurium antolakii
What do you enjoy most about your work: I absolutely love interacting with people through our lives sales & connecting our customers with a variety of aroids & carnivores!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work: besides growing aroids, I have created geckos, isopods & I enjoy thrifting/antiquing for Uranium glass!