The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Kirk Tanner to succeed Michele Buck as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective Aug. 18, 2025. Buck, who announced her intention to retire from the company at the beginning of this year, will work closely with Tanner in a senior advisory capacity to ensure his successful transition.
Tanner is an accomplished food and beverage executive with a strong track record across some of the industry’s most recognized brands. He spent over three decades at PepsiCo, Inc., where he ultimately served as Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Beverages North America, overseeing a $28 billion business across a diverse portfolio of iconic and growth brands such as Pepsi, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Pure Leaf and bubly. As CEO, he drove growth and profitability through brand building, innovation, customer partnerships and execution in the marketplace. He led portfolio transformation to address continuously evolving consumer trends. Tanner also held several other senior leadership positions at PepsiCo, including President of PepsiCo Global Foodservice, Senior Vice President of Frito-Lay North America’s West Division and Vice President of Sales for PepsiCo U.K. and Ireland.
He currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Wendy’s Company, where he has led a strategy focused on core brand growth, innovation, operational excellence and accelerating new unit growth globally.
“Kirk is a proven, high-impact leader in the food and beverage industry with a great combination of customer and consumer passion, commercial acumen and operational scale,” said Mary Kay Haben, Lead Independent Director and Chair of the CEO Search Committee. “With a track record of driving growth in complex global businesses, Kirk brings a focused, results-driven mindset. His deep experience in snacks, beverages, M&A and innovation—combined with public company CEO and board roles—makes him well suited to lead Hershey into the future. Kirk is a strong leader, earning followership at every level and is committed to engaging with employees, the community and stockholders to advance Hershey’s ambition to be a Leading Snacking Powerhouse and to deliver long-term, sustainable growth.”
Haben continued, “We also want to thank Michele for her exceptional leadership and the industry-leading performance delivered across her tenure. Michele architected and championed Hershey’s Leading Snacking Powerhouse vision, guiding the company through multiple phases of transformational growth. The impact of her courageous leadership, evolution of portfolio and capabilities, and authentic connection to people leave a legacy and a roadmap that positions Hershey well for the future.”
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