Get up close and personal with Boston’s Newest Young Executive
We sat down with Delaney Dameron, the newly appointed CEO of The Best Bees Company, to talk about what drives her, what’s next for the company, and how she’s thinking about leadership at the intersection of science, sustainability, and innovation.
At just 31 years old, Delaney is already redefining what it means to lead with both precision and purpose. With a background in marketing, revenue operations, and mission-driven growth, she’s not only the first female CEO in the company’s history—but also a thoughtful systems-builder and strategic thinker with bold plans for the future.
In our conversation, Delaney shared what excites her most about stepping into this role, what her vision is for the company’s next chapter, and how empathy and data can go hand in hand in building strong, resilient teams.
Delaney Dameron, CEO of the Best Bees Company
What excited you most about stepping into the CEO role at Best Bees?
I’m continuously inspired by the work Best Bees does at the intersection of sustainability, agriculture, research, and community building. It wasn’t just about taking on a leadership role—it was about the opportunity to support and scale a mission I truly believe in. I feel honored and energized to help steer a company doing such important and innovative work.
What’s your vision for the company over the next 3–5 years?
The vision of Best Bees has remained consistent over the past decade: to improve the health of pollinators, and in tandem, transform cities from grey to green. I’m committed to expanding our product offerings and service capabilities so we can make an even greater impact—particularly in urban environments where biodiversity is most at risk. It’s about scaling our science while staying rooted in our mission.
“It’s been a longtime goal of mine to run a values-driven company, but being given the chance to lead Best Bees is beyond what I imagined.”
-Delaney Dameron, CEO of The Best Bees Company
What leadership values guide you in your work?
I rely heavily on data and metrics to guide my decision-making. I believe that clear measurement and reporting are essential to cutting through noise, aligning teams, and identifying what’s truly working. When you have strong systems in place to evaluate performance, it’s easier to make strategic decisions and optimize how we operate. That’s true whether we’re refining internal workflows, assessing client satisfaction, or evaluating the impact of our biodiversity services. I find a lot of clarity in the numbers, and I believe that kind of clarity helps build trust and direction across an organization.
That said, I also believe in leading with empathy. In my experience, most performance issues don’t come down to a lack of effort—they come down to unclear expectations, misaligned priorities, or flawed systems. I assume good intent from the people I work with. It’s my responsibility as a leader to make sure teams not only know what success looks like, but are equipped with the tools and support they need to reach it. When you approach leadership from a systems-based perspective, you start to see challenges not as personal failures, but as opportunities to create better structures. That’s the kind of culture I’m committed to building at Best Bees.
How do you see Best Bees continuing to lead in urban biodiversity and pollinator health?
Best Bees was the first company of its kind when we were founded in 2010, and we’ve stayed at the forefront of sustainability ever since. I see us continuing to innovate and expand what we do—from data collection to partnerships—so we can make an optimal impact and evolve alongside the needs of our markets and the planet.
Delaney Dameron at Best Bees headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts
Did you ever imagine becoming a CEO at 31? What helped get you here?
It’s been a longtime goal of mine to run a values-driven company, but being given the chance to lead Best Bees is beyond what I imagined. It’s taken a mix of hard work and a good amount of luck. I’ve held a wide range of roles across industries and markets, and I’ve always gravitated toward work that challenged me. Saying yes to the messy, hands-on jobs—especially in start-ups and agencies—gave me the hard skills and perspective I rely on every day.
What excites you most about leading Best Bees at this moment in the company’s journey?
What excites me most about leading Best Bees right now is the incredible potential we have to scale our mission in bold new ways. We’ve spent the last decade proving that urban beekeeping can be more than a symbolic gesture—it can be a powerful tool for research, education, and environmental resilience. Now, we’re at an inflection point where we can take that foundation and expand it into new markets, new service models, and entirely new applications of our biodiversity work. From native pollinator preservation to rooftop ecology and beyond, the possibilities for meaningful impact are endless.
I’m particularly energized by the chance to explore growth pathways we haven’t yet had the resources to pursue—opportunities that could redefine how organizations think about nature, cities, and climate action. Best Bees has always stood out for its science-first approach, but we’re ready to push even further: to innovate, to partner, and to lead the way in regenerative urban infrastructure. It’s an exciting moment of possibility, and I feel incredibly honored to help shape what comes next.
“If something isn’t working, think creatively about how to fix it—and don’t be afraid to speak up.”
-Delaney Dameron, CEO of The Best Bees Company
How has your background in revenue and marketing shaped the way you think about growth and impact at Best Bees?
My marketing background brings a creative mindset that’s deeply rooted in data and ROI. So much of business success comes down to strong storytelling and effective communication with your audience—and I’m excited to bring that strategic clarity to Best Bees. I approach growth by looking for alignment between meaningful impact and measurable returns.
As a woman in sustainability leadership, what perspectives do you bring to a historically male-dominated space?
I hope to bring fresh, thoughtful perspectives to the sustainability and science space—one that balances data-driven thinking with emotional intelligence, and long-term vision with day-to-day action. That might look like asking different questions, seeking out new collaborations, or simply creating space for more honest dialogue within teams. I’ve found that thoughtful leadership often means slowing down enough to consider not just what we do, but how and why we do it.
I’ve been incredibly inspired by the conversations I’m having with other leaders—especially women—who are driving meaningful change across environmental, research, and business sectors. It’s encouraging to see more voices shaping the future of sustainability, and I feel both supported and motivated by that momentum. I’m excited to contribute to that ongoing dialogue in a way that feels intentional, inclusive, and grounded in impact.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to young women hoping to lead in environmental, biotech, or business roles?
If something isn’t working, think creatively about how to fix it—and don’t be afraid to speak up. Step into the discomfort, try new things, and be willing to make sacrifices. Leadership often starts in the trenches, not at the top. The more you say yes to hands-on challenges, the more prepared you’ll be to lead with confidence and clarity.
What’s one priority you’re laser-focused on in your first year as CEO—and why?
Optimization first—then scaling. Best Bees already has an incredible foundation: strong teams, proprietary software, and a mission-driven core service. My priority this year is to lift the hood and identify where we can streamline, clarify, and optimize our operations. Once we’ve optimized our foundation, we’ll be ready to scale not just as a business, but as a force for environmental change—bringing the power of pollinators to more communities, more rooftops, and more ecosystems nationwide.
Best Bees is grounded in data and science. How do you balance our research mission with broader brand storytelling?
I see our scientific work as inseparable from our brand. The data we collect from every hive, whether it’s through HoneyDNATM or hive health metrics, forms the foundation of our impact. That research allows us to support global pollinator health, inform biodiversity strategies, and provide our clients with tangible, site-specific insights. It’s what makes Best Bees unique in a crowded sustainability space. We’re not just installing hives—we’re building a real-time environmental monitoring network across the country. That kind of rigor and purpose sets us apart.
But data doesn’t drive change on its own—people do. That’s why storytelling is so critical. My goal is to bring our science to life in ways that resonate with both institutional partners and individual homeowners. When we show how a single hive on a rooftop in Boston or a backyard in Denver can contribute to global research, it becomes more than a sustainability effort—it becomes personal. By connecting data to emotion and impact, we’re able to inspire action, build trust, and grow a brand that reflects both the precision of science and the wonder that bees inspire.
“At Best Bees, we talk a lot about the scientific value of our hives and their role in environmental stewardship, but there’s also something incredibly human about the experience of living with bees.”
-Delaney Dameron, CEO of The Best Bees Company
You’ve been with Best Bees for several years—how has the company evolved during your time here?
The progress we’ve made is tenfold. Since I joined, we’ve significantly improved our hive survival rates, implemented new budgeting systems, enhanced beekeeper safety and training protocols, and expanded our revenue and sales teams. Beyond the technical improvements, we’ve also grown our community. Employees of The Best Bees Company, our clients and our collaborators bring the passion that drives the work. It’s been amazing to see that growth—and even more exciting to think about what’s next.
What’s something about Best Bees that you think more people should know?
Honeybees are joyful! These tiny creatures generate so much wonder and happiness for our clients and staff alike. Beyond their scientific and environmental importance, they’re simply magical to be around.
At Best Bees, we talk a lot about the scientific value of our hives and their role in environmental stewardship, but there’s also something incredibly human about the experience of living with bees. Our clients regularly share how their hives have brought a sense of peace, purpose, and even awe into their daily lives. They notice the seasons more closely, share the story of their bees with guests, and find meaning in being part of something larger than themselves. That emotional connection is powerful—and it’s one of the most rewarding parts of our work.
To end on a fun note—what’s your dream pollinator habitat—real or imagined? Rooftop orchard, lavender fields, or something else entirely?
I’m a wildflower meadow girl through and through. An open field full of native blooms is not only an ideal environment for pollinators—it’s also an incredibly serene and inspiring place to be.
