General Mills (NYSE:GIS) has appointed Chief Operating Officer Dana McNabb as its next chief executive officer, succeeding Jeff Harmening from January 1, 2027.
The company’s board of directors unanimously elected McNabb to the position, while Harmening will transition to executive chair of the board on the same date.
McNabb has worked at General Mills for 27 years and has held senior positions covering general management, corporate strategy, marketing and international operations.
McNabb Currently Oversees Four Operating Segments
As chief operating officer, McNabb oversees all four of General Mills’ operating segments: North America Retail, North America Pet, North America Foodservice and International.
Her responsibilities also include the company’s Sales, Supply Chain, and Innovation, Technology and Quality functions.
McNabb became Group President of North America Retail in 2024 before adding responsibility for North America Pet in 2025.
Her previous positions at General Mills include Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, Group President of the Europe & Australia segment and President of the U.S. Cereal operating unit.
McNabb began her career with General Mills in Canada in 1999.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Ottawa and an MBA from London Business School.
McNabb Identifies Return to Profitable Growth as Priority
Following the announcement, McNabb identified restoring profitable growth as a central objective for the company.
“Returning the company to profitable growth is the priority, and we know how we’ll get there,” McNabb said in a statement.
Her appointment follows a period in which she has taken responsibility for General Mills’ operating segments and several company-wide functions as chief operating officer.
The leadership transition is scheduled to take effect at the beginning of 2027.
Harmening to Become Executive Chair
Harmening will move from chief executive to executive chair of the General Mills board when McNabb takes over as CEO.
Maria Henry, the board’s Independent Lead Director, said the selection of McNabb followed a “multi-year succession planning process.”
Henry also highlighted shareholder distributions during Harmening’s tenure, saying General Mills returned more than $17 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
Both McNabb’s appointment as CEO and Harmening’s transition to executive chair will take effect on January 1, 2027.
General Mills Reports $18 Billion in Fiscal 2026 Sales
General Mills reported net sales of $18 billion for fiscal 2026.
The company’s consumer food and pet food portfolio includes brands such as Cheerios, Blue Buffalo, Häagen-Dazs, Pillsbury and Betty Crocker.
McNabb will assume leadership of the company after nearly three decades at General Mills and experience across its North American and international businesses, strategy operations and major operating segments.
General Mills stock price
