Wamwari Waichungo, MS '94, PhD '96

Vice President, Global Safety Assessment & Regulatory Affairs 

SC Johnson


After earning her degrees in Food Science at Mizzou, Wamwari Waichungo set out on a career that oversees the human and environmental safety and regulatory compliance of products on a global scale. After 20 years at the Coca-Cola Company, ascending to the role of Vice President for Global Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, her current position at SC Johnson expands her talents and abilities to a wide variety of products, including Raid, Glade, OFF!, Pledge, Ziploc, Scrubbing Bubbles, Windex, Method and more.

Dr. Waichungo has been committed to giving back to her community and alma mater, sharing her knowledge and expertise with the students and faculty of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. In 2015, she served as the school’s Executive in Residence, and has been an active member of the CAFNR Administrative Leadership Council since its inception in 2018. Additionally, her endowment, the W. Waichungo Food Science Study Abroad Scholarship, funds international learning opportunities for Food Science students at Mizzou.

  • BS in Home Economics, Montclair State University — 1990
  • Commencement Speaker, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources — 2016
  • Keynote Speaker, National Women in Manufacturing Summit — 2016
  • Keynote Speaker, Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) International Conference — 2017
  • Column Award, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources — 2018
  • Keynote Speaker, Kenya Scholars and Studies Association (KESSA)— 2019
  • Distinguished Alumna Commencement Speaker, Montclair State University, College of Education and Human Services — 2021
  • Dean’s Alliance, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington — 2023
  • Dedication of Waichungo Family Courtyard, University Hall, Montclair State University — 2023
  • Master of Science in Law, Northwestern University — 2023  


Dr. Waichungo credits the full tuition support she received from Dr. William Stringer, then Chair of Mizzou’s Food Science department, with changing her life. In turn, she has dedicated herself to giving back to her various alma maters, including Montclair State and, in Kenya, the Alliance Girls High School and Kenya High School. She is a member of the Monticello Society, Jefferson Club and Legacy Society, as well as a member of the Mizzou: Our Time to Lead campaign cabinet.  

“I believe in training and enabling the next generation of scientists, and closing capacity gaps, so that all communities can have access to safe, abundant food and economic opportunity.”