Drawing on a French family tradition of foraging, Daoust was introduced to the culinary and medicinal value of mushrooms early on. Later in life, she was inspired by ethnobotany and natural product chemistry.
“It really married that sense of adventure I have with that scientific curiosity,” she said, describing her path into bioprospecting and the search for new compounds in nature.
Being in a male-dominated field, Daoust acknowledged the challenges of limited females to look up to and persistent self-doubt.
“The imposter syndrome was something I suffered from very heavily until very recently,” she said. Over time, however, she reframed what she once saw as a weakness—her broad interests—into a strength. She explained that she eventually realized that she could be someone who connects scientific innovation with business value, helping ensure research is understood, funded and applied.
Daoust’s translational mindset also informed her role in launching the Functional Mushroom Council. After recognizing that companies were tackling similar technical challenges independently, she saw an opportunity to collaborate. “What if we came together and pooled our brain trust… to raise the standards across all?” she said.
As a leader, Daoust highlighted the importance of growth in delegation, optimism and team empowerment, alongside a commitment to supporting women in STEM. At M2 Ingredients, a women-led company, she underscored a culture of mentorship and advancement.
When it comes to advice for young women in science, Daoust suggested women stay curious, grounded and open.
“What you know today may be proven wrong… always be open to new discovery,” she said. “I also would say, don’t be shy to follow your intuition. It’s something that a lot of women are really strong at, but sometimes don’t follow. So really listen to that gut feeling and that intuition, both in science and in life.”
