“Jeff is a visionary, but with the capacity to develop, articulate and drive an organizational plan. Jeff is curious and has a healthy restlessness or ‘eager for more’ approach. He explores new ideas, possibilities and creates connections that drive results.”
— Ben Knoll, PFS Sr. Advisor
“So much of what I learned about being a great leader I learned from Jeff. He believes in people and wants the people around him to rise-up and he always does everything possible to ‘keep them whole’ and help them succeed.”
— Lisa Peterson, PFS Staff
“Jeff is a highly engaging leader who comes alongside others to build teams and partnerships effectively. He is thoughtful and brings insight and wisdom that reflects his care for people and his commitment to making things better. Jeff is visionary and mission-driven – he has a unique ability to paint a preferred picture of the future and then create a path to get there.”
— Dan Dye, CEO, Ardent Mills & PFS Board Member
“I have had the opportunity to work with Jeff for many years – as a client and also as a board member. I am inspired by his leadership – he leads from the front, communicating his vision with passion & empowering the team to thrive. He always fostered a collaborative environment, focused on development, innovation, inclusivity & out of the box thinking. He is a pragmatic, forward looking individual who is always open to learning from others.”
— Monica Musonda, CEO, Java Foods & PFS Board Member
“Over the course of my career I have worked with and for a lot of different leaders…Jeff is far and away the best leader I’ve had the pleasure to work with. Few are gifted with the ability to make each person feel like they are important to the mission and that they as a person matter.”
— Janelle Arndt, PFS Staff
“By getting big players in the global food industry to the table, Jeff’s helping bring hundreds of years of practical food expertise to promising food companies across Africa. He is quietly cultivating personal empathy among company leaders and many thousands of employees who, through PFS, have the opportunity to contribute to improving food security and nutrition in very practical and meaningful ways.”
— Willy Foote, Founder and CEO, Root Capital
“Jeff cares about me as an individual. He challenges me to consider other perspectives and is always motivating me towards action. He allows for tripping, falling, and learning but never lets you stay down. Where he needs to walk alongside you, he will, but he also has the wisdom to know when it’s time for you to fly solo.”
— Maka Ngulube, PFS Staff
“Jeff is the quintessential entrepreneur. He can simultaneously see the big picture and drive day-to-day outcomes. He is a connector, creative and inspirational - a welcome and motivating presence in both the boardrooms of leading global companies and in small food-processing plants across Africa. He is connected to networks of thinkers and doers around the world and is both fearlessly and thoughtfully action-oriented.”
— Ken Powell, Chairman and CEO of General Mills (ret.) and PFS Board Chair
