When Robert Grey graduated from Cal State San Bernardino in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a concentration in marketing, he had a simple goal: to see more of the world.

A first-generation college graduate from a small town, Grey said he always felt a pull to explore places beyond where he grew up. That curiosity ultimately took him across continents and industries, shaping a career centered on innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability.

Today, Grey serves as managing director of Sustainable Future at Plug and Play, a global innovation platform and venture capital firm. In this role, he oversees five business units — Agtech, Animal Health, Food & Beverage, New Materials & Packaging, and Sustainability — leading teams that connect startups with major corporations working to solve complex environmental and technological challenges.

Robert Grey, third from left, served as a panelist at Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum.
Robert Grey, third from left, served as a panelist at Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum.

Next month, Grey will return to his alma mater as a panelist at CSUSB’s Defining the Future Conference, scheduled for April 15-16. The conference brings together industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs and students to explore emerging technologies and the evolving workforce.

For Grey, participating in the event felt like a natural decision.

“First and foremost, it’s at Cal State San Bernardino,” he said. “It’s a CSUSB-led initiative, so I couldn’t not be part of it.”

His journey into global innovation began with experiences that took shape during his time at CSUSB. Grey transferred to the university from an out-of-state school, drawn by the opportunity to be closer to family. What he found on campus, however, was a community of mentors who helped expand his perspective.

Haakon Brown, left, with Grey at his 2011 CSUSB graduation ceremony.
Haakon Brown, left, with Grey at his 2011 CSUSB graduation ceremony.

He recalls Haakon Brown, professor and chair of the Department of Marketing at CSUSB’s Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration, as a particularly influential figure. Brown was someone whose enthusiasm and accessibility made a lasting impression on Grey.

“He had so much passion, was brilliant and really easy to learn from,” Grey said. “I always felt like he was a professor I could go talk to and get advice from.”

Brown’s encouragement opened the door to research opportunities and deeper conversations about graduate school. After completing his degree, Grey decided to pursue an experience abroad, moving to South Korea to teach English while exploring new career possibilities.

What began as a short-term plan quickly turned into the start of a global career. Grey went on to earn two graduate degrees — an MBA from Korea University and a master’s in international management from Copenhagen Business School — while building professional experience in Asia and Europe.

Those international experiences eventually led him into the world of startups and venture capital. Over time, Grey developed expertise in helping early-stage companies bring new technologies to market while also working with established corporations looking to innovate.

Grey presented a pitch in 2017 at Slush Singapore, a well-known startup pitch competition.
Grey presented a pitch in 2017 at Slush Singapore, a well-known startup pitch competition. 

At Plug and Play, he now operates at that intersection, supporting startups and helping them form partnerships with global companies. Much of his work focuses on technologies designed to address large-scale environmental and industrial challenges.

Among the innovations his teams are exploring are new materials designed to reduce waste, energy-efficient semiconductor technologies and solutions for capturing and storing carbon emissions. Other startups are developing advanced systems for water purification and resource efficiency.

Through those efforts, Grey has come to see sustainability not just as an environmental priority, but as a powerful driver of innovation.

“There are plenty of studies showing that sustainability is not just good for society — it’s good for business,” he said. 

Grey and his team were awarded first prize for their pitch for BLH Aqua Tech, a water efficiency agtech startup, at the 2017 Singapore Slush pitch competition.
Grey and his team were awarded first prize for their pitch for BLH Aqua Tech, a water efficiency agtech startup, at the 2017 Singapore Slush pitch competition. 

His perspective has been shaped by years spent working in early-stage startups, where adaptability and problem-solving are essential. In those environments, he said, team members often take on multiple roles and quickly develop a broad understanding of how companies grow.

“You wear all hats,” Grey said of his professional experience working in start-ups. “It allows you to move quickly, take responsibility and see the big picture.”

That mindset is something he hopes to share with students during the Defining the Future Conference. Many students, he noted, may not yet be aware of career paths in venture capital, startup ecosystems or corporate innovation. Exposure to those fields can expand how they think about their future.

“Joining a startup gives you a unique experience,” Grey said. “You build skills quickly, and it can lead you in many different directions.”

The conference itself is designed to create those kinds of connections. Hosted by CSUSB, Defining the Future will feature presentations, workshops and networking opportunities highlighting career pathways in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing and sustainability.

For Grey, returning to campus is a chance to show students that innovation and entrepreneurship are real and accessible career paths — even if they are not ones students initially imagine for themselves.

“I’m hoping to inspire students to see that there’s another path,” he said. “You don’t have to just go out and get a job — you can create one.”

Registration for the Defining the Future Conference is open to students, professionals and community members interested in emerging technologies, innovation and workforce development. For more information or to register, visit the conference website.