General Mills Unveils Key Leadership Changes in Line With Brand-Bolstering Enterprise Plan
General Mills has made a series of changes to its senior leadership team. The appointments are part of the company’s enterprise strategy, Accelerate, which focuses on stronger brand building, more targeted innovation, and increased investments in growth initiatives.
Jon Nudi has been appointed as the group president, pet and international, taking charge of the two primary growth areas for the company. Having previously served as the company’s group president, North America retail (NAR) since 2016, Nudi played a key role in accelerating organic net sales and segment operating profit within that geography.
With General Mills’ recent focus on growing its pet care segment, it’s no surprise that the No. 32 publicly-owned consumer goods company, is making leadership changes in this division.
The company recently made another play in this industry with the acquisition of the pet supplement brand, Fera. General Mills has been building out its pet food division since 2018 when it purchased Blue Buffalo Pet Products. In 2021, the company also purchased Tyson Foods’ pet treats business in a $1.2 billion cash deal. The sale included the Nudges, True Chew, and Top Chews brands, and a production facility in Independence, IA.
Ricardo Fernandez, now the segment president, international, will report to Nudi, bringing his experience as the former president of the U.S. morning foods operating unit, where he expanded the company's leadership in the U.S. cereal category.
“We are making these strategic changes to best position General Mills for today’s dynamic landscape,” said Jeff Harmening, General Mills’ chairman and CEO. “These moves enable us to best match our deep bench of senior talent to fast-growing and important consumer areas and occasions. I am confident this will help us advance our next chapter in our Accelerate enterprise strategy.”
Dana McNabb, who served as chief strategy and growth officer since 2021, has been promoted to group president, North America retail – the company’s largest and most profitable segment. McNabb previously held positions of group president, Europe & Australia segment, and president of the U.S. cereal operating unit.
Bethany Quam, who served as group president of pet since 2019, is appointed as the president, U.S. morning foods.
As part of the reorganization, Kofi Bruce, GM’s chief financial officer, will temporarily oversee the strategy and growth organization. This interim role will be assumed while the company conducts an external search for a new chief strategy and growth Officer. These strategic appointments and promotions signify a concerted effort by General Mills to align its leadership team with a focus on key growth areas and further strengthen its market position. All appointments are set to take effect Jan. 1, 2024.
