ADAMA has appointed Dr. Zhigang Hao as President and Chief Executive Officer and Sammy Leibowitz as Chief Financial Officer as the global crop protection company prepares for its next phase of sustainable and profitable growth.
Hao will become President and CEO on November 1, 2026, while Leibowitz will assume the CFO role on October 1.
Hao succeeds Gaël Hili, who will become President of Seeds at Syngenta Group. Hili will oversee Syngenta’s combined field crop and vegetable seed businesses and remain connected to ADAMA as Chairman of the boards of ADAMA Agricultural Solutions and ADAMA Ltd.
Hao joins ADAMA from specialty chemicals and animal nutrition company Adisseo, where he serves as CEO. His background includes leading international businesses across operations, corporate transformation and governance. He will relocate from France to Israel for the position.
Leibowitz is returning to ADAMA from Syngenta Group, where he serves as Global Head of Performance Acceleration.
He previously spent more than 13 years at ADAMA in senior positions spanning finance, corporate development and strategy and played a significant role in developing and executing the company’s transformation strategy.
Leibowitz succeeds Efrat Nagar, who will leave ADAMA on September 30 after 22 years with the company. Nagar spent five years on ADAMA’s Global Leadership Team, including three and a half years as CFO.
The leadership transition follows what Syngenta Group described as two years of progress in strengthening ADAMA’s operating foundation and developing a clearer strategy for sustainable, profitable growth.
KEY QUOTES:
“Over the past two years, ADAMA has made important progress, strengthening the foundations of the business and establishing a clear strategy for sustainable, profitable growth.”
Hengde Qin, CEO of Syngenta Group
“I am excited to join ADAMA and build on the company’s strong foundations and position in global agriculture.”
“Together with the Global ADAMA Leadership Team and our colleagues around the world, I look forward to further strengthening the company’s performance, serving farmers and customers, and realizing the many opportunities ahead.”
Dr. Zhigang Hao, Incoming President and CEO of ADAMA
