Mirror Review
December 11, 2025
The Coca-Cola Company, known for its global beverage brands and massive distribution system, has announced that Henrique Braun, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, has been elected to succeed James Quincey as CEO on March 31, 2026.
Moreover, Braun will also be nominated for election to the board at the 2026 Annual Meeting.
Board lead director David Weinberg praised Quincey as a “transformative leader” and said the company is confident Braun will “build on the company’s existing strengths to unlock more growth opportunities”.
With the appointment of Braun as CEO, Coca-Cola hints at stability and long-term planning as it prepares for its next phase of global growth.
But who is Henrique Braun?
This article explores his career, education, and leadership journey to explain why he is perfect for this role.
Henrique Braun’s Background
Henrique Braun was born in California and raised in Brazil. He is an American citizen with a technical and managerial academic foundation.
Henrique Braun Education Includes:
- Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro
- Master of Science degree from Michigan State University
- Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University
His education in engineering and management complements his operational and strategic leadership.
Why Coca-Cola Chose Henrique Braun
- He Has Three Decades of Leadership Inside Coca-Cola
Henrique Braun joined the company in 1996 in Atlanta as part of Global Engineering and steadily moved through roles across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
His experience includes supply chain, new business development, marketing, innovation, general management, and bottling operations.
There are only a few company leaders who have touched so many internal functions. This makes Braun perfect for the role of CEO of the Coca-Cola Company.
- He Has Leadership Experience Across Critical Global Markets
Henrique Braun’s progression through high-impact regions forms the core of why he was selected as CEO.
Within the Coca-Cola Company, he has served as:
- President, Brazil (2016 to 2020)
- President, Greater China and South Korea (2013 to 2016)
- President, Latin America operating unit (2020 to 2022)
- Executive Vice President and President, International Development (2022 to 2024)
- Executive Vice President (2024)
- Chief Operating Officer (2025 to present), overseeing all operating units worldwide
This includes responsibility for:
- Africa
- ASEAN and the South Pacific
- Eurasia and the Middle East
- Europe
- Greater China and Mongolia
- India and Southwest Asia
- Japan and South Korea
- Latin America
- North America
It is quite evident that this global experience gives Braun deep operational expertise and cultural fluency. And for a company selling products in more than 200 countries, that understanding is essential.
- Proven System Leadership
Coca-Cola’s business depends on its bottling partners. Braun has held several roles related to bottling operations and has a clear system view of how growth, execution, and supply chain efficiency work together.
Thus, Braun’s approach aligns with Coca-Cola’s franchise model and Quincey’s networked organization strategy.
What This Means for Coca-Cola’s Future
- Strong Continuity in Strategy
Quincey reshaped Coca-Cola into a total beverage company, introduced a more agile operating model, modernized marketing, and led the digital transformation. Braun has been closely involved in this evolution.
His priorities reflect continuity to:
- Strengthen consumer connection
- Expand global growth opportunities
- Use technology as a key driver of performance
- Faster Local Innovation
Braun’s career in Brazil, China, and Latin America shows he understands how local trends become global opportunities. This likely means more locally developed products, packaging formats, marketing ideas, and distribution models.
- Technology at the Core of Growth
Coca-Cola emphasized technology as a major enabler. Braun will likely push:
- Data-driven decision-making
- Digital shelf execution
- AI-led consumer insights
- Advanced supply chain tools
- Deeper Bottler Partnerships
Henrique Braun highlighted Coca-Cola’s bottler partnerships, stating: “We will work to unlock future growth in partnership with our bottlers. I see huge opportunities in a fast-changing global market.”
Moreover, with his stronger system relationship, Braun can help in operational stability and faster go-to-market execution.
James Quincey’s Continued Influence
Quincey will serve as Executive Chairman after nine years as CEO. His legacy in Coca-Cola includes:
- Adding more than 10 billion-dollar brands
- Expanding the beverage portfolio
- Leading the company through COVID-19
- Creating Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
- Driving global digital modernization
When it comes to succession confidence, James Quincey himself expressed full support for his successor, stating: “Henrique is the right leader to steer the company and the Coca-Cola system for future growth and success.”
Why This Transition Matters for the Global Beverage Industry
Coca-Cola is one of the world’s most recognizable brands and employs more than 700,000 people across its system. And Coca-Cola’s leadership change can affect bottlers, retailers, partners, and consumers worldwide.
The beverage industry is shifting toward:
- Lower-sugar beverages
- Functional drinks
- Premium hydration
- Ready-to-drink tea and coffee
- Localized flavors
- Digital-first marketing
And Braun’s international experience positions him well to interpret these trends and execute against them across markets.
Conclusion
As Coca-Cola prepares for 2026, Henrique Braun represents a leader shaped by three decades of global experience, deep operational knowledge, and a consumer-first mindset.
His journey mirrors Coca-Cola’s evolution into a modern, tech-enabled, total beverage company.
With a long onboarding runway and strong backing from the board and James Quincey, Braun is set to guide Coca-Cola into a decade defined by digital transformation, global expansion, and faster market execution.
For investors, employees, and the industry, Henrique Braun is the leader to watch as Coca-Cola enters its next era of growth.
Maria Isabel Rodrigues
