Benson Hill, Inc. announced the appointment of Kimberly (Kim) Hurst as its Chief Transformation Officer. This newly created role underscores Benson Hill?s commitment to execute its long-term strategic playbook with a focus on operations, commercial and strategic initiatives. Since going public in September 2021, Benson Hill has established customers and licensing partners in both the food and aquaculture industries and demonstrated the value of its seed-to-ingredient competitive advantage.

In her new role Hurst will lead cross-functional projects to drive efficiencies in the business, direct companywide resourcing, and develop operational strategies for achieving the Company?s financial objectives. Hurst will also oversee the exploration of robust partnership models that leverage the full power of the Company?s technology platform, research and development pipeline, assets and capabilities, and intellectual property portfolio while it propels its strategy and evolution forward. Hurst will join the Benson Hill Executive Leadership Team and will report directly to Deanie Elsner, Interim CEO.

Hurst has extensive strategic, financial, operational, and supply chain expertise in both the CPG and agribusiness sectors. Prior to joining Benson Hill in 2020 as vice president of corporate development, she served as senior vice president of long-term planning at Post Holdings during its transformation into a diversified food holdings company. She also served as senior director of corporate financial planning & analysis and business development, vice president of supply chain for the cereal business, and held various leadership roles in integration and international sales.

Prior to Post, Hurst worked as director of commodity procurement & risk management for Ralcorp after serving as the regional director for the U.S. Grains Council in Southeast Asia. She comes from a family of entrepreneurs and is the co-founder of Finally! Foods.