Jon Leafstedt

Managing PartnerDes Moines, IA
Areas of Expertise

Ag Technology & Inputs, Agribusiness, Non-Profit Organizations, Production & Associations

About

Jon draws on his expertise in ag and biotechnology to help associations, cooperatives, and early-stage companies define their talent needs and recruit senior leadership. Passionate about connecting people with the right roles and organizations, Jon has led more than 200 searches in his tenure with Kincannon & Reed.

Prior to joining K&R in 2007, Jon led two different venture-backed biotech companies. He also held senior leadership positions in regulatory, governmental affairs and sales and marketing.

Jon holds an MBA from the University of Iowa and a BS in Animal Science program from South Dakota State University.

Recent Placements & Food for Thought

The leaders we place prove the quality of our work. The knowledge of our experts provides the insight you need to attract the right candidates.

Cultivating Change: The Essential Role of Leadership in Sustainable Agriculture

Insights from the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue By Jon Leafstedt The World Food Prize Foundation’s recent Borlaug Dialogue in Des…

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Driving Organizational Success: The Power of Communication and Collaboration

“Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” – Steve Jobs A…

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Unlocking Leadership Potential: The Value of Leadership Assessments

Just as the producer assesses soil quality and pest control among a myriad of other factors to ensure a quality harvest,…

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Driving Success: The Impact of Outside Board Directors

In today’s dynamic business landscape, the role of outside board directors has become increasingly crucial for organizations seeking to enhance their…

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K&R places VP, Science and Innovation at American Sugarbeet Growers Association

Earlier this month, seed and crop protection industry veteran Nicholas Storer, PhD, joined the team at American Sugarbeet Growers Association (ASGA)…

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The Value of Retained Search

Talent acquisition is only becoming more complex, especially in niche markets and for specialized roles. It’s a monumental task to hire…

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Year End Global Talent Trends and Implications

AN EVOLVING MARKET It could be argued that uncertainty has been the biggest hurdle of 2023 for businesses around the globe.…

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King Ranch EVP & CFO placed by Kincannon & Reed

King Ranch, Inc. announces the appointment of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Andy Reul. As CFO, Reul brings a…

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AgReliant Genetics partners with K&R on CEO and CFO searches

Leading seed research and production company AgReliant Genetics, LLC. recently welcomed two executives to their senior leadership team. Last week the…

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The ROI of Executive Coaching: Is it Worthwhile?

Change is inevitable and it’s necessary to grow, but that doesn’t mean it’s not challenging. To appreciate the value – tangible…

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Behavioral-based interviews provide foundation for in-depth candidate assessments

Last year, we had conversations with more than 15,000 prospective candidates to determine not only their level of interest in an…

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Inclusive Leadership: Three Actions for Successful Leaders

The jury is in: inclusive leadership is successful leadership. According to a recent Kincannon & Reed survey, food and agriculture industry…

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Ag Workforce Shortages & Shortcomings: AgTech’s Opportunity or Obstacle?

During last week’s World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, Kincannon & Reed hosted a breakout panel centered on the talent deficit in agriculture…

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When is the right time to hire new leaders for startups and innovative businesses?

Five Considerations to Recruit the Best Leaders for Your Startup Managing Directors Ed Yuhas, Lisa Johnson & Aidan Connolly contributed to…

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Engagement & Development: Keys to Engaging and Developing Top Talent

Developing executives to meet future human capital needs has C-suite leaders examining former assumptions and identifying a different set of attributes…

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Retention: Workplace Culture and Hybrid Demands Front and Center

In 2021, more than 47 million Americans quit their jobs, the most resignations on record, but The Great Resignation is not…

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Attraction: C-Suite Leaders Identify the Most In-Demand and Elusive Skills

Today’s executives are not only being hired for what they have accomplished, but more crucially, for their potential to impact the…

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Motivating Factors in Attraction & Retention

How do organizations in the ag-food value chain face off against others in and out of the industry? How do they…

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Industry Experts Making Connections

Our principals are active in the industries they serve and leverage their experience for our clients