# Michael Pengue

> Michael J. Pengue is the Chief Executive Officer of Hint Inc., the San Francisco-based maker of unsweetened fruit-infused water that pioneered the better-for-you flavored water category. With more than 30 years in the beverage industry, Pengue has led multibillion-dollar businesses at Nestlé Waters North America, helped orchestrate the $1.65 billion sale of Bai Brands to Dr Pepper Snapple, and built ZOA Energy into the fastest-growing energy drink in the US before its acquisition by Molson Coors. Appointed CEO of Hint in November 2024, he is leading a comprehensive 2026 brand relaunch designed to reframe hydration as desire rather than discipline.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at Hint Inc.
- **Organizations:** Hint Inc., ZOA Energy, Keurig Dr Pepper, Bai Brands, Nestlé Waters North America, Groupe Danone
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science, University of Bridgeport, Senior Executive Leadership Development Program, London Business School, Advanced Breakthrough Program, International Institute for Management Development (IMD)
- **Known for:** Facilitated Bai Brands' $1.65 billion acquisition by Dr Pepper Snapple Group as Chief Strategy Officer, Built ZOA Energy into the fastest-growing energy drink in the US before Molson Coors took majority stake, Led Nestlé Waters North America to become the largest healthy refreshment beverage company and third largest overall beverage company in North America

## Career timeline

- **Pre-2000s** — Early career at Groupe Danone in beverage sales and marketing
- **~2000-2016** — Nearly two decades at Nestlé Waters North America in escalating senior roles
- **2014-2016** — President of Nestlé Waters Business Units, overseeing Perrier, S.Pellegrino, Poland Spring, Nestlé Pure Life, and Nestea — helping Nestlé Waters become the largest healthy refreshment beverage company in North America
- **2016** — Joined Bai Brands as Chief Strategy Officer
- **2017** — Facilitated Bai Brands' $1.65 billion acquisition by Dr Pepper Snapple Group
- **2017** — Joined Keurig Dr Pepper as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Emerging Brands Group; led Away-From-Home coffee business
- **2021** — Became CEO of ZOA Energy, the better-for-you energy drink brand co-founded with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
- **2024** — Led ZOA to become the fastest-growing energy drink in the US; Molson Coors took majority stake in the company
- **November 2024** — Named Chief Executive Officer of Hint Inc. in partnership with executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates and investor Verlinvest; simultaneously announced additional capital for business expansion
- **2026** — Led comprehensive Hint brand relaunch with new visual identity and integrated 'MMMMM Water' marketing campaign in partnership with NY-based Mythology agency; presented at ICR Conference on Hint's market strategy

## Achievements

- Facilitated Bai Brands' $1.65 billion acquisition by Dr Pepper Snapple Group as Chief Strategy Officer
- Built ZOA Energy into the fastest-growing energy drink in the US before Molson Coors took majority stake
- Led Nestlé Waters North America to become the largest healthy refreshment beverage company and third largest overall beverage company in North America
- Managed a multibillion-dollar portfolio including Perrier, S.Pellegrino, Poland Spring, and Nestlé Pure Life
- Launched 2026 Hint brand refresh with 'MMMMM Water' campaign reframing hydration as desire rather than discipline
- Named CEO of Hint Inc. in November 2024, bringing institutional credibility and fresh capital alongside the appointment
- 30+ year career spanning multiple successful better-for-you beverage brands

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Launched 'MMMMM Water' integrated marketing campaign with NY agency Mythology, reframing hydration as desire rather than discipline
- **2026-05** — Hint evolved its Sparkling with Electrolytes lineup with new flavor portfolio under Pengue's leadership
- **2026-01** — Featured at ICR Conference 2026 fireside chat discussing Hint's 20-year history, market differentiation, and 2026 brand relaunch strategy
- **2024-11** — Named CEO of Hint Inc. alongside announcement of additional capital for business expansion

## Links

- Website: https://drinkhint.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-j-pengue-7398246/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/hintwater
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hint/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/michael-pengue
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-25