Kincannon & Reed Global Executive Search Expands Food & Ingredients Practice

Kincannon & Reed welcomes Lisa Johnson as Managing Director. Based in Chicago, Lisa is a member of Kincannon & Reed's Food and Ingredients team in recruiting and sucession assignments for the firm's clients seeking general managers, presidents, and CEOs, as well as senior funcational executives in marketing, sales, finance, business development, and R&D. 

“Lisa brings important skills to a segment of our business that has seen significant growth over the past year,” said Paul Miller, Global Lead of Kincannon & Reed’s Food & Ingredient practice. “Her knowledge of the food value chain, the companies within it, and the talent pool of successful executives are the qualities our national and global clients look for in an executive recruiter.”

Prior to joining Kincannon & Reed, Lisa ran her own company focused on pairing food manufacturers and retailers around the world. In addition, she brought global best practices to help clients optimize production methods for increased productivity and profitability.

As a serial entrepreneur, Lisa started her first company at the age of 27, a healthy fast food restaurant in downtown Chicago. Less than two years later, Ms. Johnson co-founded Gourmet Kitchens, Inc., a fresh food manufacturing firm, and grew the company to nearly $50M in annual revenue before it was acquired.

Lisa frequently speaks on Fresh Prepared Foods, and her passion, Women’s Entrepreneurship. Her awards and recognitions include Regional Finalist in Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Inductee in the Chicago Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame, Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award, NAWBO-Chicago Business Woman of the Year Award, and the Industrial Council of NearWest Chicago’s Business of the Year Award. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri.