Corteva names Luke Kissam to lead future crop protection spin-off

Corteva has appointed Luther “Luke” Kissam as chief executive officer of its planned standalone crop protection business, in support of its strategy to separate the unit later this year. Kissam will join on June 1 as CEO of the crop protection division and will lead the new publicly listed company once the separation is completed, expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The future company, referred to as “New Corteva,” will focus on innovation-driven growth in crop protection, emphasizing nature-inspired technologies and an asset-light operating model. Board Chair Greg Page stated that Kissam was chosen after a comprehensive search, citing his proven ability to drive growth and deliver integrated, market-focused solutions.

Kissam previously served as chairman, president, and CEO of Albemarle until 2020. He also held senior roles at Merisant and Monsanto. Corteva stated that the leadership team will present strategy and growth plans at an investor day on September 15 at the New York Stock Exchange.