Leadership Profiles: Annie Leeson, CEO of Agricarbon
I’m so lucky to cross paths with so many leaders that I learn from. And every so often, a leader stands out for their tenacity, deep understanding and a steady sense of purpose. What I’ve always admired about Agricarbon’s co-founder and CEO, Annie Leeson, and her team is their courage to take on some of the world’s most important challenges head-on, and to do it with both conviction and humility.
I first connected with Annie a couple of years ago through the Unreasonable Group, where I’ve had the privilege of mentoring remarkable founders working on some of the world’s most difficult social and environmental issues. Since our first meeting, it’s been amazing to watch what Annie and her team have built since, including scaling into more than 20 countries, launching their second lab (the first in Dundee Scotland and the second in South Carolina) and shaping how the world measures and manages soil carbon at scale.
I had a chance to reconnect with Annie recently, and it reminded me why I’ve always been drawn to the way she leads, with clarity, conviction, and purpose.
Tenacity with Direction
Annie has a kind of steady tenacity that I really admire. Not loud, but grounded and thoughtful that helps her team make progress and build credibility with partners, mentors, and stakeholders. She’s deliberate which provides momentum to everyone around her.
She also has that rare ability to create clarity in complex, fast-moving environments. Whether it’s defining priorities, aligning her team, or communicating with external partners; Annie has an amazing talent for bringing people together around what matters most.
Deep Understanding
One of the things that makes Annie so effective is her ability to bridge the technical and the practical. She understands her stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, corporations, and investors — and she understands the science behind Agricarbon’s solution. That dual fluency allows her to make decisions that are both visionary and grounded.
I’ve seen few leaders who can move from a deep technical discussion to one about global go-to-market strategy with credibility and without missing a beat. Annie doesn’t just delegate complexity; she embraces it, understands it deeply, and makes it understandable for everyone around her.
As Pierre Kim, Agricarbon’s Commercial Director, shared, “She has that rare ability to zoom out to strategy and zoom in to detail with equal ease and that gives everyone around her confidence and direction.”
Confidence and Clarity
When Annie reached out last week, she didn’t dance around what she needed. She was clear about her ask, thoughtful about her reasoning, and confident in the mission she’s leading. That kind of clarity is rare and its also contagious. It encourages collaboration because people trust her direction and her intent.
Agricarbon’s collaborative, high-trust culture is no accident; it’s a reflection of how Annie leads, with purpose and transparency.
Leading with Purpose
Annie’s story is a great reminder that leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about conviction, curiosity, and staying aligned to your purpose. Agricarbon’s mission is ambitious and and important, but it’s Annie’s leadership that makes it real.
I’ve loved watching her and her team grow, and I’m excited to see Agricarbon continue to scale its impact. Annie is one of those leaders who reminds me why I stay close to climate and social impact because when people lead with clarity and courage, good things happen and it’s really rewarding to play a part in that.