Who is Steve Cahillane? The New CEO of Kraft Heinz and Global Taste Elevation Co.

Mirror Review

December 17, 2025

Kraft Heinz has named Steve Cahillane as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026, as the company prepares for one of its largest restructurings in history.

As part of this transformation, Kraft Heinz will split into two independent, publicly traded companies, and Steve Cahillane will lead the higher-growth business, known as Global Taste Elevation Co. He will also join the company’s board of directors.

But what makes Steve the right leader for this moment?

To understand that, it helps to look closely at his career path, leadership style, and experience navigating complex corporate transitions.

Who Is Steve Cahillane?

1. He has a Career Built on Leading Big Brands

Steve Cahillane brings over 30 years of experience across food, beverages, and consumer goods. Over the years, he has built a reputation as a steady operator who knows how to scale brands while adapting them to changing consumer demands.

His most notable roles include:

Chairman, President, and CEO of Kellanova
Chairman and CEO of Kellogg Company
President and CEO of The Nature’s Bounty Co.
President of Coca-Cola Americas
Senior leadership roles at AB InBev

Across these roles, Cahillane built a reputation for sharpening brand focus and pushing growth in mature categories. That experience is especially relevant as Kraft Heinz looks to reposition some of its most iconic names for modern consumers.

2. Steve Cahillane Education, Boards, and Industry Influence

Beyond his executive record, Cahillane brings strong academic credentials and board-level experience that add to his leadership depth.

He holds:

MBA from Harvard University
BA from Northwestern University

In addition, he serves as:

Board member at Colgate-Palmolive
Trustee at Northwestern University
Member of global consumer goods forums

In addition to these positions, Cahillane has held several influential industry and nonprofit board roles over the years, including:

Smithsonian National Board, where he supports cultural preservation and public education initiatives

Purpose Built Communities, as a board member focused on community development and social impact

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where he served as trustee and Chair of the Finance Committee, overseeing financial governance for one of the largest pediatric healthcare systems in the U.S.

American Beverage Association, serving on the executive committee during his tenure in the beverage industry

Food Marketing Institute, contributing to policy discussions and retail food innovation

Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Brazil–U.S. Business Council, supporting international trade and regional economic development

Collectively, these roles highlight Cahillane’s broad industry reach and governance experience. They also explain why boards often turn to him during periods of transformation.

His exposure to consumer goods, healthcare, education, sustainability, and global trade gives him a well-rounded perspective that is particularly valuable as he takes on new leadership at Kraft Heinz.

The Kellogg Split That Shaped His Reputation

One reason Steve Cahillane stands out is his role in reshaping Kellogg.

In 2023, he led the separation of Kellogg’s slower North American cereal unit from its faster-growing snacking business. That move created Kellanova, a global snacking company housing brands like Pringles, Cheez-It, and Pop-Tarts.

The strategy worked. Kellanova became a focused growth story and was later acquired by Mars for $35.9 billion. The experience closely mirrors the path Kraft Heinz is now taking, making Cahillane’s appointment feel both deliberate and timely.

Why Steve Cahillane’s Appointment Matters Now

Kraft and Heinz, which was one of the biggest mergers, is now changing its operating model.

The company plans to separate into:

Global Taste Elevation Co. focused on faster-growing, global brands
North American Grocery Co. focused on traditional grocery staples

Steve Cahillane will serve as CEO of Global Taste Elevation Co., which will house brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia, and Kraft Mac & Cheese. These are household names with strong recognition, but many require renewed investment and relevance to sustain long-term growth.

The board’s choice reflects timing, not coincidence, since Cahillane has already led a major corporate breakup before, and he did it successfully.

What Global Taste Elevation Co. Really Means

The Kraft Heinz split is expected to close in the second half of 2026. Until then, the focus will be on execution.

Additionally, the strategy behind Global Taste Elevation Co. is straightforward and execution-driven since the new company will aim to:

Prioritize international growth
Invest more in innovation and marketing
Refresh legacy brands for modern consumers
Move faster with fewer operational layers

Cahillane described these brands as iconic but under-loved. On CNBC, he said they need to be “contemporized” and brought back to growth. That language reflects his hands-on style.

Leadership Changes Around the Transition

The leadership shift at Kraft Heinz extends beyond the CEO role and includes several important changes:

Carlos Abrams-Rivera will step down as CEO and stay on as an advisor through March 6, 2026
John T. Cahill will become Chair of the Board
Miguel Patricio will remain on the board
A global search will begin for the CEO of North American Grocery Co.

According to the board, Cahillane’s experience makes him “uniquely qualified” for this phase of transformation.

Steve Cahillane on Taking the Role

In his own words, Steve Cahillane described the appointment as both personal and pivotal, directly addressing why the moment matters and what he believes the separation will unlock.

“I am honored to be joining Kraft Heinz as CEO at such a pivotal and exciting time,” Cahillane said. “Like millions of people around the world, I have a deeply personal connection to the Kraft Heinz brands, dating back to my childhood.”

He also made it clear that his focus will be on long-term brand building rather than short-term fixes.

“I’ve devoted my entire career to building brands, and the opportunity to do the same with Kraft Heinz’s iconic portfolio is a dream come true,” he added.

On the planned breakup of the company, Cahillane expressed strong confidence in the strategy and its potential impact.

“I’m confident the planned separation will accelerate the Company’s ability to compete and win in today’s environment and unlock the immense opportunity in front of us,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with the team to write this exciting next chapter together.”