S2G Investments has named longtime policy strategist Grant Leslie as Operating Partner for Government and Policy in a move that strengthens the firm’s ability to support companies operating in some of the nation’s most regulation-intensive markets.
The multi-stage investment firm, which backs innovators across food and agriculture, energy, and oceans, said the appointment reflects its continued focus on connecting private sector innovation with public sector influence to accelerate growth in essential industries.
Leslie brings nearly fifteen years of experience from FGS Global, where she most recently served as Global Head of the Food Team, advising S2G and a range of corporate, nonprofit, and coalition clients on advocacy and policy strategy. Her background also includes serving as Senior Advisor to Secretary Tom Vilsack at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she oversaw policy development and interagency coordination across major initiatives, including the Farm Bill, nutrition programs, renewable energy, rural development, and agricultural trade. Earlier in her career, she worked in the U.S. Senate for a decade.
S2G operates within sectors that intersect with some of the most intricate regulatory systems in the American economy. The firm views policy as an integral part of its investment process and a key contributor to long-term value creation. This approach guides its efforts to align public policy and private capital, helping innovators advance solutions that support economic resilience and national competitiveness.
The appointment arrives at a moment when food and agriculture remain at the center of major federal policy priorities. Leslie has spent her career working with farmers, rural communities, and agricultural leaders, bringing a seasoned understanding of how to drive progress while navigating regulatory realities.
At S2G, she will focus on helping portfolio companies build strategies that bolster innovation, efficiency, and market competitiveness across food and agriculture, as well as extending those insights to energy and ocean-related ventures.
Her addition also deepens S2G’s commitment to investing in productivity markets where technical expertise and policy engagement play a defining role in enabling scalable, durable solutions. Working across the firm’s team and portfolio, Leslie will help companies interpret regulatory environments, identify new opportunities, and strengthen their ability to compete globally.
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“We are focused on supporting innovation that strengthens the backbone of the U.S. economy, from farmers and energy providers to the infrastructure and markets that connect them. Grant brings the experience and perspective needed to help our companies navigate regulation, access new opportunities, and compete globally.”
Sanjeev Krishnan, Managing Partner at S2G
“By aligning capital, innovation, and thoughtful policy engagement, S2G is helping operators move faster, reduce risk, and compete globally in industries that are central to our economy. I look forward to pairing S2G’s sector experience with proactive policy strategy to help businesses bring new solutions to market.”
Grant Leslie, Operating Partner, Government and Policy at S2G
