Governing Body Spotlight

Kaj van den Kieboom is the Global Chief Financial Officer of KIND Snacks, a $1.5 billion international snack food business that sells healthy snacks under the KIND, Nature’s Bakery and trü frü brands, and it is a subsidiary of Mars, Inc. 

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Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.

I started my career in a financial leadership development program at Mars, Inc. in the Netherlands after graduating with a Masters in Business Administration. I then spent 12 years at Mars across Confectionary, Pet Care and Food categories, moving through different finance roles and business units with increasing responsibility. During this time, I worked in the Netherlands, UK, US and Germany before landing back in the US in 2016. 

I then left Mars to go to Newell Brands and lead the finance team for the Health Appliances division in North America. I then had an opportunity to come back to Mars for my current role to lead finance for the healthy snacking subsidiary that consists of the KIND, Nature's Bakery and Tru Fru brands.
 

What is one of your guiding leadership principles?

Do What You Say & Say What You Do. I am a strong believer in accountability and transparency.
 

With disruption being a key theme of the past few years, where do you see your role as a CFO going in the next 1-2 years?

There is a tremendous amount of change coming to finance with AI, automation, the war for talent and the need for the finance role to become much more of an operating entity. CFOs will have to become even more resilient and adaptable to change.
 

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the role as a CFO?

Find a support network with other CFOs. This role is the most lonely job you will have.
 

Tell us 3 fun facts about yourself.

1. I am tall, even for a Dutchman (6'8). 
2. I still have season tickets for my second division hometown football club, even though I go to maybe 1 game a year. 
3. My kids believe my job is to go to the office and count products (used to be M&M's, now KIND bars).
    

What is the value of joining an Evanta community?

I look forward to enhancing my network of people in similar jobs across industries and sharing and learning together.
 

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