# Steve Cahillane

> Steve Cahillane is the Chicago-based chief executive officer and a director of Kraft Heinz, a role he began in January 2026 after leading Kellogg and Kellanova. His career began in wine sales and included founding State Street Brewing Company, senior beverage-industry roles and the 2023 Kellogg separation. At Kraft Heinz he paused a planned separation in February 2026 and prioritised investment behind the existing business.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer and Director at Kraft Heinz
- **Organizations:** Kraft Heinz, Kellanova, Kellogg Company, The Nature’s Bounty Co., The Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola Enterprises, InBev, Interbrew UK and Ireland, Labatt USA, Coors Distribution Company, State Street Brewing Company, E&J Gallo Winery, Northwestern University, Colgate-Palmolive, Smithsonian National Board
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Northwestern University, Master of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
- **Known for:** Founded and sold State Street Brewing Company., Led the 2023 separation that created WK Kellogg Co and Kellanova., Led Kellanova until its acquisition by Mars in December 2025.

## Career timeline

- **Early career** — Worked as a sales representative for E&J Gallo Winery.
- **1995** — Founded State Street Brewing Company in Chicago.
- **1997** — Sold State Street Brewing Company and joined Coors Distribution Company as vice president and general manager.
- **1999** — Joined InBev in a US sales leadership role.
- **2001** — Became CEO of Labatt USA.
- **2003–2005** — Served as CEO of Interbrew UK and Ireland.
- **2007** — Became president of Coca-Cola Enterprises’ Europe Group.
- **2008** — Became president of Coca-Cola Enterprises’ North American business.
- **2010–2012** — Led Coca-Cola Refreshments as president and CEO.
- **2013** — Led Coca-Cola Americas; left Coca-Cola in December 2013.
- **2014–2017** — Served as president and CEO of The Nature’s Bounty Co.
- **2017-10** — Became CEO of Kellogg Company.
- **2018-03** — Became chairman of Kellogg Company.
- **2023-10** — Led Kellanova following separation of WK Kellogg Co.
- **2025-12** — Concluded leadership of Kellanova following Mars’ acquisition on December 11.
- **2026-01** — Became Kraft Heinz CEO and joined its board on January 1.
- **2026-02** — Paused work on the planned Kraft Heinz separation and announced a $600 million investment plan.
- **2026-08** — Raised planned 2026 incremental investment to approximately $700 million.

## Achievements

- Founded and sold State Street Brewing Company.
- Led the 2023 separation that created WK Kellogg Co and Kellanova.
- Led Kellanova until its acquisition by Mars in December 2025.
- Recipient of FMI’s 2022 William H. Albers Industry Relations Award.
- With Tracy Cahillane, committed $10 million to Northwestern’s Jacobs Center renovation in 2024.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Kraft Mac & Cheese announced cheesy ramen on October 6, supported by the company’s broader $700 million brand investment plan. Nationwide availability was planned for early 2027.
- **2026-08** — Kraft Heinz raised planned incremental 2026 investment to approximately $700 million and raised its organic net sales outlook; second-quarter organic net sales declined 1.3%.
- **2026-02** — Kraft Heinz paused work related to its planned separation and announced $600 million of investment.
- **2026-01** — Cahillane began as Kraft Heinz CEO and director on January 1.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-cahillane

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/steve-cahillane
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21