Ingredion Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Ingredion has 8 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, operational oversight, information technology, and business development.

Committed to advancing plant-based ingredient science, Ingredion delivers sustainable solutions that enhance texture, nutrition, and performance for global food, beverage, and pharmaceutical manufacturers across diverse international markets.

Leadership Roles at Ingredion

  • Vice President, Finance, Global Texture & Healthful Solutions & Interim Chief Financial Officer - Jason Payant
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Jack Fortnum
  • Senior Vive President - James Ripley
  • Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer - Barbara Holcomb
  • Global Senior Director, Operations & Chief of Staff - Michelle Szymczak
  • Business Scientist & Acts Texturizers Lead & To The Chief of Staff & Chief Information Officer - Marjorie Welchoff
  • Senior Portfolio Manager & Chief Information Officer, Office of - Avni Jayswal
  • Team Captain - Lees Emily
  • Jason Payant - Vice President, Finance, Global Texture & Healthful Solutions & Interim Chief Financial Officer

    Jason Payant, the Vice President, Finance, Global Texture & Healthful Solutions & Interim Chief Financial Officer at Ingredion, directs the financial architecture for the company's core ingredient segments. Managing complex fiscal reporting, Payant ensures the alignment of capital allocation with long-term growth objectives in the texture and healthful solutions categories. This leadership role involves rigorous oversight of global financial performance, supporting the broader corporate strategy through precise budgetary control and risk mitigation. By analyzing market trends in plant-based ingredients, Jason Payant optimizes resource distribution to maximize profitability across international operations. The Vice President, Finance, Global Texture & Healthful Solutions & Interim Chief Financial Officer maintains constant communication with the Board to provide transparency regarding fiscal health. Through disciplined financial management, Payant secures the necessary liquidity to fund research initiatives, ultimately strengthening the competitive position of the organization within the global food and beverage manufacturing landscape.

    Jack Fortnum - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Jack Fortnum, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Ingredion, manages the overarching financial strategy and capital structure of the enterprise. Overseeing global fiscal operations, Fortnum drives the development of long-term financial planning to support the company's mission of delivering innovative ingredient solutions. This executive role requires constant collaboration with the leadership team to evaluate investment opportunities in specialty starches and sweeteners. By monitoring macroeconomic shifts, Jack Fortnum ensures the organization maintains a robust balance sheet capable of sustaining international expansion. The Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer directs the internal audit and treasury functions, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards across all operating regions. Through strategic financial oversight, Fortnum enables the company to pursue sustainable growth while providing consistent value to shareholders. This leadership position remains central to the execution of corporate objectives, ensuring that financial resources align with the evolving demands of the global food and pharmaceutical industries.

    James Ripley - Senior Vive President

    James Ripley, the Senior Vive President at Ingredion, directs high-level strategic initiatives aimed at expanding the company's market presence in the food and beverage sectors. Overseeing key business units, Ripley ensures that the organization maintains its leadership position in the development of specialty starches and sweeteners. This leadership role involves fostering relationships with major global manufacturers to understand and address specific product quality and functionality requirements. By driving the implementation of growth strategies, James Ripley supports the company's commitment to sustainability and innovation. The Senior Vive President collaborates with other executive leaders to refine the corporate vision and ensure that all regional operations align with the overarching business model. Through the management of critical partnerships, Ripley secures long-term revenue streams and enhances the company's reputation for excellence. This position remains central to the execution of strategic goals, ensuring that the organization continues to deliver superior ingredient solutions that meet the diverse needs of global consumers.

    Barbara Holcomb - Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer

    Barbara Holcomb, the Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer at Ingredion, architects the digital infrastructure supporting global ingredient research and supply chain efficiency. Managing enterprise-wide technology initiatives, Holcomb ensures that data systems facilitate seamless collaboration between research teams and manufacturing facilities. This leadership role involves implementing advanced analytics to track consumer preferences for plant-based ingredients, directly impacting product development cycles. By overseeing the integration of secure information platforms, Barbara Holcomb protects the intellectual property of the company while enhancing operational transparency. The Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer coordinates with cross-functional leaders to deploy scalable software solutions that optimize production workflows. Through the modernization of digital assets, Holcomb drives significant improvements in organizational agility. This position remains vital to maintaining the technological edge required to serve the complex needs of the food, beverage, and personal care industries on a global scale.

    Michelle Szymczak - Global Senior Director, Operations & Chief of Staff

    Michelle Szymczak, the Global Senior Director, Operations & Chief of Staff at Ingredion, coordinates the execution of operational strategies across the company's international manufacturing footprint. Overseeing the alignment of production goals with corporate objectives, Szymczak ensures that the supply chain for specialty starches and sweeteners remains resilient and efficient. This leadership role involves managing the strategic agenda for the executive office, facilitating communication between departments to streamline decision-making processes. By analyzing operational metrics, Michelle Szymczak identifies opportunities to improve manufacturing performance and sustainability outcomes. The Global Senior Director, Operations & Chief of Staff works closely with regional leaders to implement best practices that enhance product quality and consistency. Through rigorous project management, Szymczak supports the delivery of high-performance ingredient solutions to global customers. This position serves as a critical link in the organizational structure, ensuring that operational activities consistently reflect the company's commitment to innovation and excellence in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

    Marjorie Welchoff - Business Scientist & Acts Texturizers Lead & To The Chief of Staff & Chief Information Officer

    Marjorie Welchoff, the Business Scientist & Acts Texturizers Lead & To The Chief of Staff & Chief Information Officer at Ingredion, directs the scientific development of advanced texture solutions for the food and beverage industry. Managing the intersection of technical research and business strategy, Welchoff ensures that product innovations meet specific market demands for functionality and taste. This leadership role involves translating complex scientific data into actionable insights for the executive team, particularly regarding the performance of specialty starches. By overseeing the alignment of research initiatives with digital information systems, Marjorie Welchoff optimizes the speed at which new ingredients reach the market. The Business Scientist & Acts Texturizers Lead & To The Chief of Staff & Chief Information Officer collaborates with cross-functional teams to refine product formulations that support better nutrition. Through this dual focus on science and operational strategy, Welchoff drives the company's ability to provide superior ingredient solutions that address evolving consumer preferences globally.

    Avni Jayswal - Senior Portfolio Manager & Chief Information Officer, Office of

    Avni Jayswal, the Senior Portfolio Manager & Chief Information Officer, Office of at Ingredion, manages the strategic investment portfolio for digital transformation projects. Overseeing the prioritization of technology initiatives, Jayswal ensures that information systems support the company's core mission of delivering innovative ingredient solutions. This leadership role involves evaluating the return on investment for new software platforms that enhance research capabilities and supply chain visibility. By coordinating with the Office of the Chief Information Officer, Avni Jayswal aligns technical resources with the long-term goals of the food and pharmaceutical business units. The Senior Portfolio Manager & Chief Information Officer, Office of monitors project timelines and resource allocation to ensure the successful delivery of digital infrastructure improvements. Through disciplined portfolio management, Jayswal enables the organization to leverage data-driven insights for better decision-making. This position remains essential for maintaining the technological infrastructure that supports the company's competitive advantage in the global ingredient market.

    Lees Emily - Team Captain

    Lees Emily, the Team Captain at Ingredion, leads internal initiatives focused on team cohesion and operational excellence within the ingredient solutions division. Overseeing the daily activities of specialized project groups, Emily ensures that all efforts remain aligned with the company's mission of providing high-quality products to the food and pharmaceutical industries. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between team members to resolve technical challenges and improve workflow efficiency. By fostering a culture of collaboration, Lees Emily drives the successful execution of research and development projects that support the company's innovation pipeline. The Team Captain monitors progress on key deliverables, ensuring that all outputs meet the rigorous standards expected by global customers. Through proactive management and team development, Emily enhances the overall productivity of the organization. This position serves as a vital component in maintaining the operational agility required to navigate the competitive landscape of the global ingredient market, ensuring consistent delivery of value.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Ingredion Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Ingredion?
    Ingredion is led by Jason Payant (Vice President, Finance, Global Texture & Healthful Solutions & Interim Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Jack Fortnum (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and James Ripley (Senior Vive President).
    Who is part of Ingredion’s executive team?
    The executive team of Ingredion includes leaders such as Jason Payant (Vice President, Finance, Global Texture & Healthful Solutions & Interim Chief Financial Officer), Jack Fortnum (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer), James Ripley (Senior Vive President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Ingredion have?
    Ingredion has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Ingredion’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Ingredion includes roles such as Vice President, Finance, Global Texture & Healthful Solutions & Interim Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vive President, Senior Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Global Senior Director, Operations & Chief of Staff.