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Oct. 7, 2026
Source: Idealyst Innovation news release COLUMBUS, OH -- Idealyst Innovation today announced Joel Leftwich will join the company as Executive Vice President of Policy Innovation and Director of the Center for American Food Power. Leftwich joins Idealyst from Kansas Farm Bureau, where he serves as Chief Strategy Officer. An experienced agriculture and policy strategist, Leftwich previously served as Majority Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, Managing Director of the Glover Park Group's food team, and Senior Director of Government Affairs at PepsiCo. At Idealyst, Leftwich will lead the company's policy innovation division and the Center for American Food Power, a nonpartisan think tank collaboratively developing a 2040 National Agrifood Strategy and supporting structures built on the belief that food security is foundational to national security and fundamental to human potential. The Center brings together leaders across agriculture, food, business, policy, technology and national security to develop marketplace and policy strategies that strengthen America's food system and its global position. "America's food, fuel and fiber system is at an inflection point, and the decisions we make today will shape our strength and resilience for decades to come," said Leftwich. "I'm excited to join Idealyst and help build the strategies, partnerships and policy frameworks needed to keep American food power as a strategic advantage." "Joel understands the food system from the farm to the boardroom to the halls of government," said Brett Sciotto, CEO and Founder of Idealyst Innovation. "That perspective is rare--and exactly what this moment demands. Joel has helped shape the vision for the Center from the beginning, and we're thrilled to have him now lead this work." Leftwich has served on the Center's American Food Power Council since its launch in March. His appointment marks a significant expansion of Idealyst's efforts to connect agriculture, market innovation and public policy around the strategic importance of American food power. "The future of American food power will be shaped not by any one sector, but by how effectively we bring those sectors together," Leftwich said. "That is the opportunity ahead of us, and I'm eager to get to work." Leftwich will begin his new role on November 1. About Idealyst Innovation Idealyst Innovation empowers the future of agrifood through policy and market innovation. The company brings together leaders across agriculture, technology, policy, finance and other sectors to develop solutions that strengthen farmer success and American food power. About the Center for American Food Power The Center for American Food Power is a nonpartisan think tank focused on strengthening the strategic position of American agriculture and the broader U.S. agrifood system. The Center advances research, collaboration and policy and market frameworks at the intersection of agriculture, food, innovation, economics and national security. Tweet |
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