William M. Hale is a distinguished executive with over 22 years of experience in corporate strategy, global operations, and transformational leadership. Renowned for his ability to align strategy with execution, William has made a profound impact across industries, including agriculture, food and beverage, and aviation, while maintaining a strong commitment to innovation, cultural development, and community engagement.
William is the Founder of Active Compass, a fractional strategy and operations practice while providing executive coaching for businesses and organizations of all sizes.
Previously, as Chief of Global Operations for Cargill, Inc.’s Corporate Strategy & Development (CSD) function, William oversaw the largest in-house corporate strategy function globally, spanning offices in Belgium, China, Singapore, and the United States. Under his leadership, a team of 155 employees and a $60 million people budget are driving strategy execution and development initiatives that enable Cargill to navigate complex markets and deliver measurable business outcomes. By implementing values-based leadership principles, William has increased global function engagement from 60% to over 90%, doubling retention rates and fostering a culture of servant leadership and operational excellence.
He was prior the Group Strategy Leader for Cargill’s Agricultural Supply Chain North America division, William spearheaded the development and execution of a transformative five-year strategy for a $25 billion business portfolio. His efforts not only aligned multiple business units but also positioned the organization to achieve more than $100 million in incremental operating earnings. William has also demonstrated his expertise in M&A and portfolio management, playing a critical role in the acquisition of EWOS while serving as the Global Strategy Lead for Cargill’s Animal Nutrition enterprise.
William’s career reflects a passion for tackling complex challenges and driving innovation. As Business Development Leader for Cargill’s Flour Milling division (now Ardent Mills), he launched value-added product portfolios and negotiated strategic agreements that generated multimillion-dollar revenue streams. Earlier in his career, he excelled in commodity trading, product development, and operational leadership roles.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, William is deeply committed to community leadership and mentoring future leaders. He actively serves on the Board of Directors for The Tampa Club, where he also sits on the Board for the Epicurean Foundation. His affiliations include mentoring startups through SCORE and Tampa Bay Wave and fostering business community connections as a member of The Propeller Club of Tampa. William’s past leadership roles include board positions with World Savvy, The Leadership Emergence & Development Project, and the Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities, where his contributions earned him the Corporate Leadership Award. He also recently completed two terms on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
William’s professional and personal values intersect through his dedication to cultivating meaningful impact. Whether implementing global strategies across 20+ countries, mentoring startups, or volunteering within his community, he embodies a holistic approach to leadership. A graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems, William has supplemented his academic foundation with certifications in Six Sigma, Catalyst Leadership (INSEAD), and life coaching, underscoring his commitment to continuous learning and development.
When not driving transformation in the boardroom, William enjoys tennis, fishing, and community volunteering. His guiding principle is a passion for helping organizations and individuals grow, leveraging his experience with companies of all sizes to bridge processes and foster success. As an accomplished leader and advisor, William M. Hale stands as a beacon of strategic foresight, operational excellence, and a deep-seated dedication to advancing the industries and communities he serves.
Character
William M. Hale embodies values-based leadership, demonstrating integrity, servant leadership, and a deep commitment to fostering organizational and community growth.
Knowledge
With over 22 years of expertise across global strategy, change management, and innovation, William has a proven track record of delivering measurable business outcomes across diverse industries.
Strategic
William excels at aligning complex strategies with execution, driving transformational growth and creating long-term value for businesses of all sizes.
Communication
A skilled communicator, William bridges diverse stakeholders, fosters engagement, and ensures clarity in both global operations and community leadership initiatives.
