Leif Fixen
Director of Strategic Initiatives, North America Agriculture
Leif Fixen Director of Strategic Initiatives, North America Agriculture © Dr. Kathryn Fixen
Areas of Expertise
Agronomy and Regenerative Ag Systems, Agribusiness, GHG and Water Quality Credits, Biofuels
Biography
Leif Fixen is a seasoned expert in agronomy, regenerative agriculture, and conservation strategy, bringing more than 20 years of experience advancing farmer-centered solutions and sustainable agricultural systems. He serves in a leadership role with The Nature Conservancy’s North America Agriculture Program, where he has been a key driver of the organization’s Farmer Advisor Strategy and value chain engagement work.
Over his eight years at TNC, Leif’s leadership has been instrumental in elevating the organization’s agricultural efforts. He began as the first Agriculture Strategy Manager for TNC’s Minnesota–North Dakota–South Dakota program, working with local partners to implement on-the-ground regenerative agriculture solutions. In 2020, he expanded into a joint role with the North America Agriculture team to help build TNC’s broader Farmer Advisor Strategy, which he stepped into leading full time in 2024.
In his current position, Leif guides priority initiatives, cultivates and stewards strategic partnerships, and helps position TNC as an innovative catalyst and effective implementer in regenerative agriculture. He also serves as an entrepreneurial scout for TNC’s agriculture work—identifying emerging trends, elevating promising solutions, and strategically connecting partners and funders to help move ideas into action.
Prior to joining TNC, Leif was the Pacific Northwest Conservation Program Manager at the American Farmland Trust, where he created and implemented multiple successful programs that incentivized farmers and ranchers to voluntarily adopt conservation practices.
Born and raised on a small farm near Brookings, South Dakota, Leif earned a Bachelor of Science in agronomy and forestry from South Dakota State University. He is also an alumnus of the Washington AgForestry Leadership Program, a recipient of the American Society of Agronomy Excellence in Advocacy Award and serves as a mentor in South Dakota State University’s Alumni Mentor Program.