Rodale Institute, a globally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a leading voice in regenerative organic agriculture, seeks a strategic, visionary, and experienced financial executive to serve as its next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This individual will join a mission-driven leadership team at a pivotal moment in the organization's growth, helping strengthen its financial foundation, support long-term sustainability, and advance its national and global impact.
For more than 75 years, Rodale Institute has advanced the science and practice of regenerative organic agriculture through rigorous research, farmer training, education, and consulting. What began as a pioneering effort to explore the connection between soil health and human health has evolved into an internationally respected organization influencing farming practices, food systems, and environmental sustainability worldwide. Today, Rodale Institute operates a growing portfolio of research, education, consulting, technical assistance, and certification-related initiatives while partnering with corporations, foundations, government agencies, and agricultural leaders to accelerate the adoption of regenerative organic practices.
The Institute has experienced substantial growth over the past several years, evolving from an organization with approximately $10 million in annual revenue in 2020 to an operating enterprise of roughly $20 million today. During that same period, net assets have grown from approximately $37 million to more than $52 million, reflecting increasing organizational scale, philanthropic investment, and programmatic expansion. Rodale Institute is also advancing a comprehensive $140 million campaign to support research, farmer training, infrastructure, and future growth. As the organization expands its reach, influence, and complexity, there is an opportunity to further strengthen the financial strategy, systems, and organizational infrastructure necessary to support its next chapter.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CFO will provide strategic leadership across financial planning, capital strategy, investment oversight, treasury management, governance support, risk management, and organizational sustainability. The CFO will serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, the Board of Directors, and the senior leadership team, helping to align financial resources, capital investments, and growth opportunities with organizational priorities. This leader will play a critical role in supporting campaign planning, revenue diversification, enterprise decision-making, and long-term financial stewardship.
The ideal candidate will be a proven and highly credible finance executive with experience leading complex, mission-driven organizations through periods of growth, transformation, and increasing organizational sophistication. They will bring deep expertise in financial strategy, forecasting, capital planning, treasury management, governance, and organizational stewardship, along with the executive presence necessary to establish immediate credibility with the Board, leadership team, donors, financial partners, and external stakeholders. Rodale Institute seeks a leader who has successfully navigated similar challenges before, can quickly build trust and influence, and possesses the strategic mindset and business acumen to help shape the organization's future.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic financial leader to join a respected and growing organization at a defining moment in its history. The successful candidate will help ensure that Rodale Institute has the financial strategy, discipline, and resources necessary to advance a global movement focused on the health of people, soil, and the planet while positioning the organization for continued growth and long-term impact.
This is a hybrid position with a strong preference for candidates who can work on-site one or two days per week in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, to support collaboration and engagement.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Please direct all applications and nominations to the WittKieffer consultants supporting this search through the WittKieffer's candidate portal. To express interest or inquire further, the WittKieffer search team can be reached via e-mail at jcummings@wittkieffer.com.
Rodale Institute values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.

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