ST. LOUIS– Benson Hill, Inc. (NYSE: BHIL), an ag tech company unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants, today announced that Susan Keefe has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective March 29, 2024. Keefe succeeds Dean Freeman, who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. Freeman will continue to serve in the role through March 29, 2024, to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.
Keefe is a seasoned enterprise leader with deep life sciences and biotechnology industry experience in both public and private companies. Most recently, she served as Chief Financial Officer of GreenLight Biosciences, a biotech and ag tech company specializing in RNA-based solutions for agriculture and human health applications.
“Susan brings a depth of financial acumen to Benson Hill that will be crucial in reshaping the organization during our transition to an asset-light partnership model,” said Deanie Elsner, Chief Executive Officer of Benson Hill. “Having an executive with Susan’s diverse experience will prove invaluable as we seek to improve our financial profile and unlock the full value of our differentiated and advantaged genetics. She’s uniquely capable for the next leg of our journey, and I look forward to working with her to deliver value to Benson Hill shareholders.”
“I’d also like to thank Dean Freeman for his dedication and service to Benson Hill,” added Elsner. “Over the course of the past two years, Dean has been a valued member of the leadership team, and we wish him the best in his next chapter.”
Prior to joining GreenLight Biosciences, Keefe served as Chief Financial Officer, Vice President Finance of Danforth Advisors from 2018 to 2019, and previously as Vice President, Finance and Administration and Corporate Treasurer of Aushon Biosystems from 2013 to 2018. Earlier in her career, Keefe held a variety of financial leadership positions across several organizations, including SeraCare Life Sciences, The Proctor & Gamble Company, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Keefe holds an MBA in Strategic Management, Marketing, Finance and Entrepreneurship from The University of Chicago, Booth Graduate School of Business, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Iowa.
