Dean Hollis

BA '82 (psychology), Pi Kappa Phi

Founder, DiVentures, Inc.

Omaha, NE

Dean Hollis has over 40 years experience managing and leading businesses in the retail and consumer products industries.

Until retiring in 2008, Mr. Hollis was President and Chief Operating Officer, ConAgra Foods, Consumer Foods. In that role, Mr. Hollis developed and executed a worldwide business transformation strategy, while overseeing the largest part of the ConAgra Foods portfolio, including its $12 billion consumer and customer-branded businesses, consisting of over 40 global brands in 110 countries. During his 21 years with ConAgra Foods, he held many executive-level positions, including Executive Vice President, Retail Products; President, Grocery Foods; President, Frozen Foods; President, Specialty Foods; and President, Gilardi Foods. Prior to ConAgra Foods, Mr. Hollis worked with TreeSweet Products and Georgia Pacific, in a variety of sales and marketing positions. 

Since December 2008, Mr. Hollis has been a senior advisor for Oaktree Capital (OAK), a $100 billion worldwide private equity firm. In December 2021, Hollis was appointed board chair for Pomona Farming and Mahi Pono. From July 2019 until August 2023, he served on the Independent Advisory Board of JBS USA, a leading U.S.-based global food company. In May 2018, Hollis was appointed board Chair of Boardriders, a leading action sports and lifestyle company, where he served until Boardriders was sold to Authentic Brands Group in September 2023. From October 2017 until October 2023, he served on the board of Hain Celestial Group (HAIN), a global leading organic and natural products company, where he chaired the board until December 2022 and served on the Nominating and Governance and Audit committees. Since October 2016, Hollis has served on the board of SunOpta (STKL), a worldwide leader in healthy foods, specializing in non-dairy, plant-based, organic and non-GMO products, where he served as board Chair until 2023 and serves on the Nominating and Governance, Compensation and Audit Committees. From 2008, until its sale to Tyson Foods in June 2017, Hollis served as board Chair and a member of the Compensation Committee of Advance Pierre Foods (previously APFH), an industry leader in hand-held convenience foods and value-added proteins. From May 2012, until its sale to Snyder’s-Lance Inc (previously, LNCE) in February 2016, Hollis served on the Board of Diamond Foods (previously, DMND), a leading branded snacks supplier, where he served as a member of the Audit and Nominating and Governance Committees. Also, from July 2011, until its sale to Pinnacle Foods (PF) in January of 2016, he served as Board Chair and a member of the Audit Committee of Boulder Brands (previously, BDBD), a leader and innovator in health and wellness foods. From July 2009, until October 2015, Mr. Hollis served on the Board of Landec Corporation (LNDC), a developer and marketer of patented polymer products for food, agriculture and licensed partner applications, where he chaired the Compensation and CEO Search Committees. 

Mr. Hollis also has several wide-ranging privately held businesses and investments. In 2008, following his life-long passion for retail and aquatics, he founded Diventures. Bringing innovative retailing and unparalleled consumer experience to the scuba, swim and travel industry. Diventures currently has 18 locations in 12 states.

Mr. Hollis is a 1982 graduate of Stetson University where he serves as Vice-Chair of the Board. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Stetson in 2005. He also currently serves on the boards and as board chair of The Nature Conservancy, Caribbean Chapter and Project Harmony, a child advocacy center, based in Omaha, Nebraska.