Five Thanks for Five Years

Nearly every country around the world offers an annual holiday focused on giving thanks for our many blessings. Thanksgiving here in the United States is especially meaningful for me this year, as I celebrate my fifth anniversary leading Mondelēz International. Reflecting on my journey so far with this great company, here are my top 5 takeaways:

Brands Build Lasting Bonds: When I joined MDLZ in November 2017, I knew that I was entering the home of iconic brands like Oreo, Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and my beloved Belgian Cote d’Or. But I could not have anticipated just how deeply our brands are woven into the fabric of the families we serve. Everywhere I travel, people tell me our brands help them make cherished memories –birthdays, festivals, school celebrations, game nights. I’m honored that our snacks play such an important role in bringing people together.

Culture Snacks on Strategy: At MDLZ, our Vision 2030 acceleration strategy is built upon four key pillars: Growth, Execution, Culture and Sustainability. Peter Drucker famously said that “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” In our company, Culture is the snack that fuels focus and innovation. Culture holds a special place within our four pillars – because it enables the other three. We’re working hard to build a winning culture, powered by technology, and grounded in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Simplicity Brings Vision to Life: Last week, our extended leadership team gathered for an inspiring retreat focused on role modeling the behaviors necessary to advance Vision 2030 and truly embed our Culture. One of the key lessons we learned is the importance of simplification. We committed to reducing the complexity in our organization, renewing our focus on the most critical deliverables, and empowering our teams to make decisions at the appropriate level.

Resilience Is a Superpower: I would be remiss if I didn’t note that almost half my tenure at MDLZ occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout these challenging times, I’ve learned that resilience is one of the most critical elements of success in both business and life. I deeply appreciate the steadfast dedication of our Makers and Bakers around the world, who remain passionate about meeting consumer needs even in the most challenging circumstances. I’m continuously inspired by their resilience.

Make Time for Unexpected Fun: When I started working from home in spring 2020, my dog Winston – like many pets – often showed up in the background of my video calls. He became the highlight of our virtual town hall meetings, and after a few weeks, it became routine for colleagues to ask, “where’s Winston?” every time I appeared on camera. Even now, as we’ve returned to offices, my dog remains a celebrity in our company. Whenever a team member asks about him – or shows me a picture of their own pet – it reminds me to pause and have a moment of fun. No matter how busy we all are, those brief moments of joy and humor are important in building a culture where people feel connected and inspired.

A lot has changed in my five years with #TeamMDLZ , but one thing remains constant: Our unwavering commitment to our Purpose of empowering people to snack right. I firmly believe that our people are the very best in the consumer packaged goods industry. I am so thankful for them – and together, we are so thankful for the trust our consumers put in us to deliver the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way.

Happy Thanksgiving!