General Mills: CEO History

Harmening became CEO in June 2017 and led the 2018 Blue Buffalo acquisition, later adding Tyson's pet treats (2022) and Whitebridge Pet Brands (2025) while divesting the European dough business, Helper and Suddenly Salad, and North American yogurt. In fiscal 2026 he oversaw broad price reinvestment and a $3 billion cost-savings program aimed at fiscal 2030.

Serving as CEO for a decade, Ken Powell focused heavily on expanding the company's footprint in rapidly growing international markets, particularly in Asia and Latin America. He recognized the early consumer shift toward 'better-for-you' foods and spearheaded the strategic acquisition of Annie's Homegrown in 2014, signaling a major corporate pivot toward natural and organic product lines. He also significantly expanded the global reach of the Yoplait yogurt brand, attempting to counter the devastating, unexpected rise of Greek yogurt upstarts like Chobani.

As CEO for 12 years, Stephen Sanger orchestrated the most consequential transaction in the modern history of General Mills: the 2001 acquisition of the Pillsbury Company from Diageo. This complex merger effectively doubled the size of the corporation, adding well-known, profitable brands like Pillsbury dough, Old El Paso, and Progresso soup to the existing cereal portfolio. He spent the remainder of his tenure focused on the difficult, multi-year process of integrating the two distinct corporate cultures and supply chains.