Abigail Buckwalter, who was revealed as the new President and CEO, this week comes to Ocean Spray from Nestlé Health Science U.S, where she led the organisation of more than 6,000 people for the past three years.
During that time, she managed a complex and diverse multi-billion-dollar portfolio of global consumer and healthcare brands.
Ocean Spray, known for its Cranberry drinks and water enhancers, is an agricultural cooperative, owned by roughly 700 family farmers, in the US, Canada, and Chile.
“Our industry finds itself at an incredibly dynamic tipping point in consumer behaviour and buying habits. I believe Ocean Spray, with its iconic brand and global platform, is uniquely positioned to deliver against those expectations around taste and health benefits,” said Buckwalter.
“In my two decades working in consumer-packaged goods, I’ve learned what’s possible when consumer obsession and operational excellence come together. That is what we will strive for, every day, here at Ocean Spray.”
Ocean Spray has been at the forefront of recent innovation. It is already leveraging multiple health benefits and its bright red visual appeal to tailor products for China.
Peter P. Dhillon, Chairman of the Ocean Spray Board, said: “Abigail is a transformational leader, and we are thrilled to welcome her to Ocean Spray. She brings both the global business experience needed to drive growth and the instincts to build brands that last.”
He added: “While her track record of operational excellence and innovation is impressive, what truly set her apart is how she thinks about and enacts people-first leadership every day. That combination of global vision and human-centered approach is exactly what what’s needed to lead Ocean Spray into its second century of business.”
A leader at Nestlé Health Science since its inception 15 years ago, Buckwalter was instrumental in shaping the organisation’s direction and impact, Ocean Spray said.
She also had roles across Europe, Oceania, and North America, where Ocean Spray said she cultivated “a deep understanding of diverse business environments, along with a resilient, execution-focused mindset.”
