Julie Kanak

Managing DirectorChicago, IL
Areas of Expertise

Agribusiness, Board & C-Suite Search, Finance & Capital, Food & Ingredients, Succession Planning

About

As a leadership advisor and retained search consultant with 20 years’ experience, Julie has conducted senior executive and board searches for major and emerging organizations and associations across functional disciplines focused on agribusiness, food and beverage and financial services.  

Her clients span publicly traded, private-equity and privately held entities with an emphasis on cooperatives, marketing and trade associations and family-owned businesses. Julie’s financial services clients cover public global, national and regional banks and asset management firms through government sponsored enterprises.  

Prior to her search career, Julie spent 25 years in Chicago and New York with global banks building high performance teams and expertise in corporate and investment banking.

Julie is a recognized advocate and expert on diversity, equity and inclusion.

She earned her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Iowa.

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.

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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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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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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K&R places Director of Ranch Management Program for TCU

Last week, accomplished higher education professional Matthew Garcia, PhD joined the faculty at Texas Christian University (TCU) as the new Director…

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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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K&R partners with Caviness on CFO search

Caviness Beef Packers recently welcomed Doug Green to their ranks as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer. Family owned and operated for…

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Dairy industry sees opportunity within global challenge

By Gary Weihs and Ed Yuhas While attending the recent joint annual American Dairy Products Institute / American Butter Institute (ADPI/ABI)…

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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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Dairy Industry Sustainability EVP placed by K&R

K&R principals Ed Yuhas, Sally Day & Gary Weihs extend their congratulations to Lori Captain on her new role with Dairy…

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K&R places CEO with beet sugar coop

Kincannon & Reed principals Gary Weihs and David Turner extend their congratulations to Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative’s (SMBSC) newest Chief…

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Industry Experts Making Connections

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