Tanner Krause

CEO, Kum & Go

Age: 35

Wife: Hannah 

Children: A 4-year old daughter and a 1-year old son.

Reasons he is a Forty: Most importantly, he persuaded Hannah McHale to move to Des Moines and marry him. At 28, he became senior vice president of human resources for Kum & Go, and immediately led changes to improve the quality of life for its associates, including eliminating degree requirements and drug testing, and converting more than 2,000 of the company’s 5,000 employees from part-time to full-time. Tanner became president of Kum & Go at 30, leading a new strategic plan and brand transformation for the business, which led to him becoming CEO at 33. He consistently uses his power and platform to improve the quality of life for those who need it most – both in his business and in his volunteer work.

What are your goals in your role at your company? Lead the company to have zero dependency on fossil fuels. Doing so will ensure our multigenerational success. 

What are your goals for your community involvement? Whether at Kum & Go or in my volunteer work, I push for greater economic opportunity in America. At work, that means improving the quality of life for America's service industry. Outside of work, that means helping children break cyclical poverty, helping racial minorities have a fairer chance and improving access to higher education.

What's your biggest passion, and why? I want my wife and my kids to be proud of me. They mean the world to me and give me so much joy and support. My hope is that my life's work enriches them as well.

What is it that drives you? I have a simple belief that if you work 40 hours a week in the richest country in the world, you should be able to support yourself. Unfortunately, the American economy isn't set up that way. I'm incredibly proud of the progress we've made in this space while recognizing we still have a ways to go.

What are your future aspirations? America would benefit if all its people had access to rights that are common in the developed world, such as health care, high-quality public education and paid parental leave. I hope to see a future where we respect our lower earners enough to grant them the benefits many of us have come to expect. 

Three hobbies: Playing soccer, playing pitch and playing with my kids. 

Fun fact: Despite living blocks from the hospital in Mason City, Tanner’s mother gave birth to him in the foyer of their home, alone.

One word to describe you: Hopeful.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? I wish leaders thought more about what people deserve and less about what the market normalizes. Why would we ever make a mother choose between a paycheck and the health of herself or her child in the early days of newborn life?

What's one piece of advice that you would give to a young professional? Think independently. Stay open-minded and explore different approaches to everything. Follow the evidence on what is most effective and advocate for that. 

What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address? Can we at least all agree that parents should have time with their newborn children without losing pay? I've seen my wife in a postpartum state; to think that there are families worried about paying their bills at that moment is a travesty. Do the right thing for people.

Anything else you haven't addressed that people must know about you? I speak Italian.