Richard La Bonte
About Richard La Bonte
Richard La Bonte serves as the Vice President of Brand Strategy and Marketing at Benson Hill, where he has worked since 2020. He has held various leadership roles in marketing and product development across multiple companies, including Brighton Agency, Citigroup, and HARMAN International.
Current Position at Benson Hill
Richard La Bonte serves as Vice President of Brand Strategy and Marketing at Benson Hill since 2020. In this role, he focuses on developing and implementing brand strategies that align with the company's mission and goals. He provides strategic guidance in product design and brand marketing, leveraging his extensive experience in the industry.
Previous Experience at Brighton Agency
La Bonte held multiple positions at Brighton Agency, including Vice President from 2010 to 2014 and Senior Vice President of Audience Engagement from 2016 to 2018. During his tenure, he contributed to audience engagement strategies and brand development in the Greater St. Louis Area.
Professional Background in Financial Services
La Bonte worked at Citigroup as a Management Associate and VP of Product Development from 2003 to 2005, gaining experience in financial product development across various locations including St. Louis, New York City, and San Diego. He also served as a Senior Financial Analyst at Bayer from 1999 to 2003.
Educational Qualifications
Richard La Bonte earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Washington University in St. Louis - Olin Business School, focusing on Marketing Strategy and International Business. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Advanced Training and Certifications
La Bonte completed advanced marketing leadership training at Northwestern Kellogg. He further enhanced his expertise with a course on AI Implications for Business Strategy at MIT and continuing executive education in Behavioral Economics at Chicago Booth.