CFO appointments lead the November edition of AgTechNavigator’s movers & shakers round-up, with ag input company Bayer and indoor tomato grower NatureSweet each making appointments, followed by Micropep adding a member to its board of directors.
To submit people news, email Ryan Daily, Americas editor at AgTechNavigator, at ryan.daily@wrbm.com.
Bayer plans CFO transition
Bayer appointed Judith Hartmann, who will join the company on March 1, 2026, and assume the role of CFO on June 1, 2026, following the retirement of current CFO Wolfgang Nickl at the end of May 2026.
Currently, Hartmann serves as the operating partner for private investment firm focused on climate infrastructure Sandbrook Capital, as Bayer shared in a press release. Previously, she held the role of CFO and deputy CEO at French multinational energy company Engie and worked for General Electric in a variety of management roles.
Hartmann holds a master’s degree in business administration and a Ph.D. in economics from Vienna University of Economics and Business.
“With Judith Hartmann, Bayer is gaining a highly accomplished leader with vast international experience. She brings both strategic insight and strong operational skills. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated transformational leadership – guiding businesses through challenges and discovering new opportunities. We are convinced that she will make a great contribution to the future of the company,” said Norbert Winkeljohann, chairman of the supervisory board of Bayer AG, shared in a press release.
This comes as Bayer continues to face legal pressure for its glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup, as management weighs the best path forward, as AgTechNavigator previously reported.
Current CEO, Bill Anderson, received a vote of confidence for his leadership through these challenges and strategy earlier this year, with the board of directors extending his contract by three years, as reported in a previous movers & shakers column.
NatureSweet appoints Paul Bonvehi CFO
North American controlled environment agriculture company NatureSweet appointed Paul Bonvehi to the role of CFO.
Previously, Bonvehi was the CFO at Martori Farms and held senior leadership roles at Driscoll’s and Reiter, serving the latter as VP and controller for North American operations. Bonvehi received his MBA in business administration from Pepperdine University.
“Paul’s deep expertise in vertically integrated agricultural operations, operating with strong brands, and financial mastery make him an exceptional addition to our leadership team. His experience in guiding growth-oriented agricultural businesses will be instrumental as we continue to scale our operations, strengthen our financial discipline, and invest strategically in our people and future,” Rodolfo Spielmann, president and CEO of NatureSweet, shared in a press release.
Micropep adds R&D expertise to the board of directors
Sustainable ag input company Micropep Technologies welcomed Patricia Malarkey as an independent member of its board of directors. Malarkey brings 30 years of agriculture experience, previously serving as the chief innovation officer at DSM and global head of R&D for Syngenta.
“Trish’s leadership in innovation, team building, and her deep understanding of agriculture and adjacent markets will significantly enhance our board. Her insights will be critically important as we broaden our vision and accelerate impact in the commercialization phase,” said Georg Goeres, CEO of Micropep Technologies, in a press release.
Last month, Micropep lifted the lid on its AI engine to discover micropeptide-based biocontrol, designed to speed up the development of new crop protection products, as AgTechNavigator previously reported.
