President & CEO
Farm Foundation is seeking its next President & CEO to build on more than 90 years of leadership, collaboration, and impact. This executive will guide the organization’s strategic direction, serve as a national ambassador for its mission, and help shape a vibrant future for food and agriculture. Applications are being managed by Heidrick & Struggles.
Applications, inquiries, and nominations can be directed to: FarmFoundationCEO@Heidrick.com
Position specification
Chief Executive Officer
Position Specification
President and Chief Executive Officer
Position Specification
We bring people together to move agriculture forward. For more than 90 years, Farm Foundation has brought leaders together to build trust,
expand understanding, and advance practical solutions.
Farm Foundation is an independent, nonpartisan organization invested in building a vibrant future for food and agriculture. We’ve been a trusted
place for leaders across the sector to exchange ideas, challenge perspectives, and build understanding. Today, that role is more important than
ever.
Agriculture is evolving quickly, shaped by changing markets, innovation, policy, and global pressures. The challenges are complex and
interconnected. Progress depends on people working across differences with clarity, trust, and a shared commitment to solutions.
That’s where Farm Foundation comes in. Farm Foundation’s purpose and mission is to build trust and understanding at the intersections of
agriculture and society through leveraging non-partisan objective dialogue, information and training, catalyzing solutions, and creating multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Farm Foundation creates impact by convening leaders across agriculture to engage in informed policy dialogue, build trust across differences,
and develop current and future industry leaders. By grounding conversations in research and lived experience, the organization helps turn insight
into action.
Overview
Leadership
Board of Directors
Executive Team
Financial
Form 990 2024
Impact Report
2025 Annual
Impact Report
History
Our History
The Position
Title President & Chief Executive Officer
Location Chicagoland (Libertyville, IL) or remote
Reports To Board of Farm Foundation and Board of The Legge Lowden Farm Foundation Trust
Staff ~10
Position Summary For more than 90 years, Farm Foundation has served as a trusted, nonpartisan organization focused on advancing dialogue,
understanding, and leadership across food and agriculture. Through its convenings, leadership programs, and industry
relationships, the Foundation brings together stakeholders from across production agriculture, agribusiness, academia,
government, and more to explore issues affecting the future of the sector.
Farm Foundation is well-positioned to build on its legacy and expand its impact. In recent years, the organization has
expanded its programming, partnerships, and reach. Going forward, there is an opportunity to sharpen its strategic focus and
reinforce its role as a trusted convener. The next President & CEO will work closely with the Board, industry-leading Round
Table Fellows, staff, and stakeholders to help shape that direction while ensuring the organization remains relevant, financially
sustainable, and aligned with its mission.
As the organization's chief executive and primary external representative, the President & CEO will work across the agricultural
ecosystem to build relationships, convene diverse perspectives, strengthen organizational sustainability, and advance Farm
Foundation's role as a trusted forum for dialogue and leadership development.
The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and externally engaged leader with sound judgment, strong communication skills,
and an appreciation for the diverse perspectives that shape food and agriculture. This is an opportunity to lead a respected
organization as it defines its next chapter and continues to serve as a trusted resource for the agricultural community.
Extensive travel is required.
In partnership with the Board of Directors, drive the strategic direction of the Farm Foundation in pursuit of the organization’s mission.
Increase awareness of and support for Farm Foundation’s mission and programs through public events, media opportunities, and partnerships,
including serving as the organization’s national spokesperson.
Expand existing partnerships and develop new partnerships and opportunities to fulfill Farm Foundation’s mission, including appropriately
expanding fundraising.
Broad knowledge of public policy issues related to food, agriculture and rural communities.
Develop an annual business plan and related budget and regularly report to the Board of Directors and Trustees on programmatic
accomplishments and financial performance, including accurate monthly financial reporting in accordance with GAAP.
Ensure programmatic excellence and rigorous evaluation of quality, including attention to the Foundation’s commitment to objectivity and non-advocacy.
Lead and coach the Foundation staff in carrying out programs. Maintain an effective performance evaluation system to support employee
development and performance.
Work closely with the Board of Directors and the Trustees to determine strategic direction for the organization, including the identification of
future programming opportunities and appropriate funding sources.
Work with the Board of Directors and the Trustees to assure that the governance, organizational structures and business operations serve the long-term mission of the Foundation.
Serve as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors and all Board committees.
Minimum of ten years of experience in progressively responsible senior management positions in the not-for-profit sector, the private sector,
government, or academia. Experience in not-for-profit management desirable.
Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders and manage dialogue among competing interests on complex and controversial
issues.
Role & Responsibilities
The Person
Combines strategic acumen with a genuine passion for Farm Foundation’s mission: to build trust and understanding at the
intersections of agriculture and society.
Palpable
Connection to the
Agricultural
Mission
Pivotal Experience & Business Impact
A compelling ambassador and relationship builder who can elevate Farm Foundation's profile, strengthen its reputation,
promote strong partnerships, and effectively engage stakeholders across agriculture, philanthropy, government, academia, and
industry.
Elevating External
Visibility
Demonstrated ability to increase fundraising streams and partnership opportunities from a variety of sources. Possesses the
financial acumen to steward organizational resources effectively, align revenue enhancement strategies, and ensure long-term
financial sustainability.
Financial Acumen
and Revenue
Growth
A proven track record of developing and/or implementing a strategic plan and enhancing an organization’s
capacity and impact. Ability to align on policy priorities and issues related to food, agriculture, and rural communities.
Strategic Vision
Proven success leading an organization of relevant size and stature, driving operational excellence, setting and measuring
goals, and navigating through change. Aptitude to engage the Board and senior leadership team in setting strategy; ability to
foster a respectful, nimble, empowered, results-oriented and collaborative working environment.
Team Leadership
and Stakeholder
Engagement
Agricultural Economics Fellowship
Agricultural Economics Trade Fellowship
Agricultural Scholars Program
Round Table: an invitation-only discussion forum comprised of over
200 leaders from across the food and agriculture value chain and
across North America. The Round Table meets twice yearly to provide
a forum for discussion and interaction among thought leaders and
invited government, academic, agribusiness and other interest group
leaders.
Young Agri-Food Leaders
Field to Future
Convening
Ag 101 Bootcamps: Designed for seasoned leaders as well as those new
to the food and ag sectors—including cross-departmental teams, board
members, or your key clients—our bootcamps are taught by industry
leaders, academic researchers and other subject matter experts.
Academia & Policy
FarmPath: a national, multi-year program designed to make farming more
accessible and achievable for aspiring and beginning farmers navigating
today’s rapidly changing agricultural landscape. Now in its first three-year
cycle, FarmPath launched with more than 650 applicants from 46 states
and U.S. territories.
Next Generation Farmers
Young Farmer Accelerator Program
Farmer Pathways
Programs
Farm Foundation Awards
Farm Foundation Forums
Congressional Fellowship
CAFE Student Workshop
Cultivators
The Farm Foundation Campus is a welcoming place where anyone can come explore how food is grown, how systems connect, and
why agriculture matters to all of us.
Through hands-on experiences, guided programs, and real-world
demonstrations, visitors can see agriculture up close and gain a clearer
understanding of the people, land, and decisions behind it. Whether
you are new to agriculture or simply curious, the Campus offers a chance
to learn by doing, ask questions, and leave with a deeper connection to
the food system that touches every part of our lives.
Innovation & Education Campus
The Farm Foundation Innovation & Education Campus is a dynamic
space designed to bring together food and agriculture leaders,
innovators, and educators. Whether you’re hosting a strategic retreat,
launching a new initiative, or conducting hands-on research, our campus
provides the resources and environment to foster collaboration and
progress.
Located on former Casey Farm in Libertyville, Illinois and surrounded by
the 5,000-acre Liberty Prairie Reserve, this centennial farm is an ideal
location to honor the history of farming in the region and create a space
that continues to educate and inspire the community on the importance
and potential of agriculture.
Campus
Engagement Team
Jackie Zavitz, Partner
jzavitz@heidrick.com
Jimmy Prencipe, Partner
jprencipe@heidrick.com
Meghan Ashbrock, Principal
mashbrock@heidrick.com
Compensation for this role will be determined based on experience and skill set, with an anticipated base salary range of $250,000 to
$300,000.
Applications, inquiries, and nominations can be directed to: FarmFoundationCEO@Heidrick.com.
Farm Foundation has engaged the Social Impact Practice at Heidrick & Struggles to conduct the search for its next President and Chief
Executive Officer.
Sean Meyer, Associate
smeyer@heidrick.com
Requires 10+ years in progressively responsible senior management; strategic planning, fundraising, financial management, stakeholder dialogue, organizational leadership, and knowledge of food, agriculture, and rural policy.
Key Responsibilities
- driving strategy
- building partnerships
- leading staff
Skills & Tools
GAAP
Job Details
- Category: Business Operations
- Seniority: Senior Level
- Commitment: Full Time
- Workplace: Remote — Libertyville, Illinois, United States
- Salary: USD 250,000 – 300,000 / year
- Languages: English
About Farm Foundation
A nonpartisan organization that convenes leaders to advance practical solutions for food and agriculture. — Industry: Non-Profit Organizations and NGOs