Jim Zappa

About Jim Zappa

Over my career, I have become a savvy business and legal advisor and C-suite leader with global experience in complex, diverse organizations. I have developed a deep reservoir of experience advising senior teams and boards of Fortune 100 companies to develop contemporary models for compliance and risk management. I have the confidence to take difficult positions and say what needs to be heard,while keeping my focus on achieving outcomes and building long-term relationships. Colleagues and directors tell me they value my candor and ability to work with constructive tension. My hallmark is constructively leading organizations through financial and reputational crises and periods of change to emerge stronger and more sustainable. At CHS (NASDAQ – CHSCN), a $45B+ diversified global agribusiness cooperative owned by farmers and local cooperatives across the United States, my work as General Counsel steadfastly guided the Board and CEO through strategic transformation, governance transitions, and responses to significant compliance, risk and controls failures. I reconstituted the Legal, Audit, Government Affairs, and Compliance teams, aligning capabilities and the company’s risk and business models, and anchoring the work climate in wellbeing. Reflecting my versatile leadership and collaboration skills, I co-led CHS’ global Covid response team and led a multi-year project to develop the company’s first enterprise sustainability framework and related policy advocacy activities. At 3M (NYSE – a $30B+ technology and manufacturing business, I was a strategic and purposeful leader of the company’s international legal organization during dynamic global compliance and risk environments. Later, as chief compliance officer, I worked across the enterprise to evolve the global compliance program to work in alignment with global business operations and advance the needed culture. During my tenure, 3M first sought and received recognition as a World’s Most Ethical Company©. My board and executive colleagues have told me they value my ability to quickly synthesize information and apply insights to problems and opportunities. In multiple legal and board roles, I developed a recognized expertise in executive compensation programs and governance, including serving as compensation committee counsel at 3M and compensation committee chair at Ventura Foods, LLC. My leadership hallmarks are candor, constructive tension, a commitment to fact-based discussion and actively supporting a strategic oversight relationship between the board and management.

Experience

1. General Counsel & Secretary

   Mcknight Foundation

   Apr 2025 — Present · Minneapolis, MN, US

   Provide strategic legal counsel to the organization, oversee all legal matters and lead organization’s governance activities and processes. Advise the board of directors and management on complex legal issues, governance, risk management, and compliance with laws and regulations.

Education

• Drake University

  Bachelor of Fine Arts, Speech Communication and Rhetoric

  1982 — 1986

• University of Minnesota Law School

  Doctor of Law (J.D.)

  1989 — 1992

• University of Southern California

  Master's degree, Speech Communication and Rhetoric

  1988 — 1989

Skills

• Contract Negotiation
• Mergers
• Compliance
• Employment Law
• Negotiation
• Employee Relations
• International Business Law
• Litigation
• Licensing
• Mergers & Acquisitions