Hershey Appoints New President and Chief Executive Officer
New Leadership at The Hershey Company: Kirk Tanner Takes the Reins
After a distinguished career spanning over three decades in the food and beverage industry, Kirk Tanner has been appointed as the new President and CEO of The Hershey Company, effective from August 18, 2025. Tanner, who previously held key leadership roles at PepsiCo, will continue to guide the growth of Hershey's iconic brands with his strategic decisions.
Mary Kay Haben, the lead independent director and chair of the CEO search committee, announced the news. Haben praised Tanner's leadership qualities and experience in the industry, stating that he is well-equipped to lead Hershey into its next chapter.
Tanner began his career as a merchandising and sales representative intern at Procter & Gamble. He spent more than three decades at PepsiCo, where he held several key positions, including CEO of PepsiCo North America Beverages, President of PepsiCo Global Foodservice, and Vice President of Sales at PepsiCo U.K. and Ireland, among others.
After retiring from PepsiCo, Tanner became the President and CEO of Wendy’s Co., focusing on brand growth, innovation, and global expansion. He will bring this same energy and focus to Hershey, expressing his excitement about leading the company and making a difference with its loved brands.
Michele Buck, the previous president and CEO of The Hershey Co, is retiring at the end of the year. Buck expressed her gratitude for leading Hershey and working with an exceptional team to transform the company into a multi-category snacking leader. She will work with Tanner during a brief transition process.
Buck also received praise from Haben for her leadership at The Hershey Co. Buck expressed her support for Tanner and her eagerness to help him during the transition process.
The Hershey, Pa.-based company will report its second quarter earnings on July 30. With Tanner at the helm, the company looks forward to advancing its ambition as a Leading Snacking Powerhouse.
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- Kirk Tanner's vast experience in the food-and-drink industry, specifically in the realms of finance and business, will be instrumental in guiding the supply chain and financial decisions of The Hershey Company.
- In his new role as President and CEO, Tanner intends to apply his proven leadership skills to reshape the lifestyles associated with Hershey's food-and-drink brands, aiming for innovation and global expansion.
- As members of The Hershey Company, opportunities for careers may soon arise in strategic areas such as food and beverage production, finance, and global brand management with Tanner at the forefront of these changes.
