Lisa Johnson

Managing DirectorChicago, IL

Areas of Expertise

Associations, Family-Owned Businesses, Food & Beverage

About

Lisa’s unique credentials—founder and owner of multiple food companies combined with placement of hundreds of executives across the food-ag value chain—provide unparalleled insight into what separates transformational leaders from competent managers.

Having operated on both sides of the table, she brings an entrepreneur’s instinct and a recruiter’s precision to identifying C-suite and senior leadership talent who drive measurable impact in operations, sales, finance, business development, R&D, and food safety. She earned her BA from the University of Missouri.

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.

Kincannon & Reed Promotes Caroline Petit to Director, APAC

Kincannon & Reed is pleased to announce the promotion of Caroline Petit to Director, APAC. In her new role, Caroline will…

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The Role of Cross-Functional Experience in Building Executive-Ready Leaders

Organizations invest significant time and resources identifying high-potential talent. Yet one of the most common leadership development challenges isn’t finding capable…

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Why Experience Alone Stops Working at the Enterprise Level

Enterprise leadership is not a continuation of functional success; it is a fundamental shift in how leaders create impact. For much…

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Kincannon & Reed Announces Kelly Griffin as Chief Operating Officer

Kincannon & Reed is pleased to announce the promotion of Kelly Griffin to Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Griffin will…

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What Top Executive Candidates Evaluate Before Joining a Leadership Team

In today’s highly competitive market for executive talent, attracting the right leaders requires more than a compelling role or competitive compensation.…

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Sustaining High Performance Through Leadership Alignment

High performance is something to be protected, not taken for granted. Across food and agriculture, many organizations are delivering strong results…

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K&R Places Mariam Parker as Executive Director of Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network

The Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network (CFBN) has appointed Mariam Parker as Executive Director, succeeding founding leader Alan Reed, who is…

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Kincannon & Reed Welcomes Jon Lowe as Managing Director

Kincannon & Reed, a leading executive search and leadership development firm exclusively serving organizations across the global food and agriculture value…

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Guittard Chocolate Partners with K&R on SVP, Sales Search

Guittard Chocolate Company, a fifth-generation chocolate company founded in 1868, has appointed Amy Heitkamp as Senior Vice President, Industrial Chocolate Sales.…

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Adapting to Transformation: The Future of Bakery Industry Leadership

By Kimberly Bretz & Lisa Johnson As the bakery industry evolves faster than ever, the recipe for success now demands more…

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From Crisis to Clarity: Making Leadership a Strategic Priority in Ag

By Managing Director Aaron Locker | Originally Published by Seed World The leadership conversation in agriculture has shifted. It’s no longer…

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Finding Resilience and Opportunity at WIA 2025

By Managing Director Lisa Johnson and Managing Director, Leadership Services Sally Day When we arrived at this year’s Women in Agribusiness…

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Employee Engagement: Why It Matters More Than Ever for Food & Ag Leaders

Employee engagement is more than a corporate buzzword; it’s a competitive advantage. Engaged employees aren’t just satisfied, they’re emotionally invested in…

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2025 Mid Year Global Talent Trends & Implications

K&R EXPERIENCE As we move into the second half of 2025, executive hiring in food and ag continues to shift and…

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Is Your Executive Value Proposition Attracting Top Talent in Food & Agriculture?

Top executives in food and agriculture aren’t just looking for a compelling job description or competitive compensation. They want purpose, strategic…

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The First 100 Days: Reframing Executive Onboarding to Accelerate Impact and Retention

The moment a senior leader accepts an offer, most organizations breathe a sigh of relief. The hard part—the search—is over. But…

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Closing the Gap: Future-Proofing Leadership in Food & Ag

The senior leadership gap in food and agriculture isn’t just a distant concern; it’s already here. As these industries face the…

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The AI-Powered Leader: Essential Strategies for the New Era

The Adaptive Leader: Thriving in an AI-Driven World AI is a strategic imperative, rapidly reshaping decision-making, streamlining operations, and addressing complex…

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