Pronaca

Leandro Tonon

Leandro Tonon is the Corporate CIO at Pronaca, where he leads global digital transformation for Ecuador’s largest food company. With a career spanning leadership roles at Deutsche Bank, Bureau Veritas and Fonterra, he brings deep expertise in IT strategy, cybersecurity and operational innovation. Passionate about purpose-driven leadership, Leandro leads inclusive technology, sustainability and aligns IT with real-world impact across the agri-business value chain.

My life’s narrative is a tapestry woven with curiosity, passion and an unyielding drive for excellence. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, 45 years ago, I have always been drawn to music, sports and an insatiable fascination for technology—something that shaped both my identity and professional path. At 15, I began building computers, sparking my entrepreneurial spirit and passion for innovation.

My career has been defined by diverse and challenging roles that pushed me to grow as a leader. As IT Manager at Deutsche Bank, I oversaw trading floors across Brazil, Uruguay and Chile, a high-pressure role that sharpened my leadership skills. Later, at Solera and Noble Brazil, I deepened my expertise in digital transformation and IT operations by modernizing infrastructure and managing multiple branches.

At Bureau Veritas, as CIO of Latin America, I established a shared services center in India, streamlined operations, reduced costs and implemented automation that boosted productivity and positioned the company as a technological innovator. At Fonterra, I drove digital transformation— replacing ERP systems with SAP, launching a B2B platform, deploying a WMS, leveraging IoT for operational equipment effectiveness (OEE) and achieving top-tier cybersecurity maturity.

 Today, as Corporate CIO at Pronaca, I lead global digital transformation for Ecuador’s largest food company. Aligning IT strategy with consumer needs in this sector involves navigating complex challenges. Chief among them is the growing demand for traceability and transparency. Consumers want to know not only what is in their food but also its origin and whether it meets ethical and environmental standards. This requires robust IT systems that integrate data across the supply chain, with blockchain, ERP systems and data analytics ensuring both reliability and scalability.

Agriculture supply chains are volatile. Climate change, pests and geopolitical disruptions affect production and logistics. IT must employ predictive analytics, AI and agile systems to optimize forecasting, procurement and distribution.

Consumer preferences are shifting rapidly, driven by plant-based diets, organic demands and allergen concerns. Companies must accelerate product development cycles with IT agile systems, CRM insights and data-driven innovation.

Regulatory compliance adds another layer of complexity. Food safety regulations differ by country and are frequently updated. IT must automate reporting, track compliance and manage documentation to ensure trust and avoid legal repercussions. Poor connectivity in rural areas requires cloud solutions, mobile platforms and IoT with offline capabilities.

Sustainability expectations are rising as consumers and regulators demand transparency on carbon emissions, water use and waste. IT must enable integrated sustainability platforms to capture and analyze environmental metrics across the value chain.

As digital transformation accelerates, secure infrastructure and data privacy become vital to consumer trust.

From Strategy to Execution To keep IT strategic, it must be a co-creator of value, not a back-office function. IT leaders must participate at the executive level, shaping business strategy and bringing a technology-driven perspective to growth and innovation.

 Understanding operational realities and consumer expectations is key. IT aligns with organizational goals— improving supply chain resilience, enhancing customer experiences and driving sustainability—by collaborating with business units to co-develop solutions. Investing in agile architecture such as cloud infrastructure, advanced analytics and modular platforms ensures rapid experimentation and innovation while maintaining stability and security.

Making Technology Work Across the Value Chain Technology is central to Pronaca’s efforts in food safety, sustainability and traceability. IoT sensors and real-time monitoring ensure proper storage and transport conditions, with instant alerts reducing spoilage risks. In production, while AI-driven inspection detects defects efficiently.

For sustainability, precision agriculture tools like drones, satellite imaging and soil sensors optimize inputs and reduce environmental impact. Digital twins and analytics monitor energy consumption and waste, identifying inefficiencies. Blockchain and end-to-end digital platforms enhance traceability, securing product information from farm to shelf. This transparency is vital during food safety incidents, enabling quick recalls and minimizing health risks. ERP and supply chain systems centralize data, streamline global compliance and improve real-time visibility across partners.

Inclusion must be foundational to digital transformation. Solutions must be intuitive, localized and accessible. Training is a key through demonstrations and mobile learning modules and peer while frontline workers can be supported by “digital champions” who guide peers. Programs must focus on longterm skill-building, not just one-off training.

Connectivity demands low-bandwidth, offline solutions. Collaborations with governments, NGOs and telecom providers are crucial. Feedback from local stakeholders ensures relevance, while inclusion metrics, like adoption rates, satisfaction and skills gained, guide improvements.

Emerging CIOs must view technology as a driver of human and organizational transformation, not just efficiency. Purposedriven leadership starts with aligning IT initiatives to the company’s mission, values and social impact. Empathy and active listening are vital. Co-create solutions with stakeholders, focus on people and culture and build trust.

Challenge the status quo by advocating for ethical data use, cybersecurity, and sustainability. Build diverse, inclusive teams and foster a culture of innovation.

Finally, lead by example—demonstrating integrity, curiosity, and a growth mindset while mentoring future leaders. Purposeful CIOs inspire change by connecting technology to meaningful outcomes.