Chris Benner is a values driven leader with a passion for mentoring and helping others become the best versions of themselves. With more than 15 years of experience leading teams across industries including electric vehicles, energy storage, and agricultural robotics, he has built a career around solving complex problems while developing the people and systems needed to scale organizations. Chris has held leadership roles at Tesla, Eaton, and several high-growth startups, where he’s led cross-functional teams, built operational infrastructure, and guided product development from concept to deployment.

His interest in leadership and community engagement began early. While growing up in Central City, Nebraska, he helped found the Merrick County Youth Council, a student-led initiative that encouraged civic involvement and peer leadership. That early experience shaped his commitment to building environments where people feel empowered to contribute and grow.

Chris earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He now lives in Minneapolis, where he enjoys skiing, woodworking, and attending live music and comedy shows.