General Mills appoints Dana McNabb as Chief Executive Officer
Dana McNabb will succeed Jeff Harmening, who will become Executive Chair of the General Mills Board of Directors.
USA – General Mills has appointed Dana McNabb as its next Chief Executive Officer, with the leadership transition scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
McNabb, currently the company’s Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Jeff Harmening, who will become Executive Chair of the General Mills Board of Directors.
The company’s board unanimously approved the appointments after a multi-year succession planning process.
McNabb will take over the leadership of one of the world’s major branded food manufacturers after 27 years with General Mills.
She joined the company in Canada in 1999 and has held senior positions spanning general management, strategy, marketing and international operations.
Her previous roles include Group President of North America Retail, Group President of Europe & Australia, President of the US Cereal operating unit and Chief Strategy & Growth Officer.
McNabb became Chief Operating Officer in June 2026, expanding her responsibilities to cover all four of General Mills’ operating segments: North America Retail, North America Pet, North America Foodservice and International.
She also oversees key functions including sales, supply chain, innovation, technology and quality.
As CEO, McNabb will lead General Mills at a time when the packaged food industry is facing changes in consumer spending, input costs and competition from private-label products.
Reuters reported that the company is also dealing with tariff-related increases in packaging costs and pressure on margins.
McNabb has identified returning the company to profitable growth as a priority, alongside digitally enabled demand generation and modernization of the supply chain.
Harmening will remain involved in the company’s leadership as Executive Chair.
He has served as General Mills’ CEO for nearly a decade, during which the company expanded its portfolio, including through the acquisition of Blue Buffalo in the pet-food category, and increased investment in digital capabilities.
General Mills said Harmening’s transition to Executive Chair is intended to support continuity as McNabb assumes the CEO role.
McNabb’s appointment also marks a leadership milestone for General Mills. According to Reuters, she will become the company’s first female CEO.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Ottawa and an MBA from London Business School.
General Mills reported fiscal 2026 net sales of US$18.4 billion, with brands including Cheerios, Nature Valley, Blue Buffalo, Häagen-Dazs, Old El Paso, Pillsbury and Betty Crocker.
The company’s leadership transition comes as it works to strengthen its brands, improve operational efficiency and pursue profitable growth across its global food portfolio.
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