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The Campbell’s Company has appointed Risa Cretella as executive vice president and president of meals and beverages, effective 1 February 2025.

Cretella will report to incoming president and chief executive officer, Mick Beekhuizen. She will become a member of the company’s operating committee and a corporate officer.

In her new role, Cretella will lead the meals and beverages division and its portfolio of brands including Campbell’s, Chunky, Pace, Pacific Foods, Prego, Rao’s, Swanson and V8 across soup, simple meals and beverages in US retail and foodservice.

She joined Campbell’s in 2024, following the completion of its acquisition of Sovos Brands, as senior vice president and general manager of Distinctive Brands – a business unit within the meals and beverages division.

During her 25 years working in the food industry, Cretella’s experience spans general management, marketing and sales roles. At Sovos, she was executive vice president and general manager of the Rao’s brand for six years, leading it to become a nearly $1 billion brand. During her final year at Sovos, she took on the additional responsibilities of chief sales officer.

Prior to Sovos, she spent five years at Pinnacle Foods in senior marketing roles, culminating in senior vice president of marketing for its frozen food business, including the $1 billion Birds Eye brand. She also spent more than a decade at the JM Smucker Company in marketing and sales positions.

Commenting on Cretella’s appointment, Beekhuizen said: “Risa is a phenomenal and accomplished leader with a strong record of driving financial and marketplace growth. Since joining Campbell’s, she has been instrumental in the successful integration of Sovos Brands, while continuing the momentum of the business.”

He added: “Risa’s proven ability to deliver business results and build high-performance teams makes her the right person to lead our meals and beverages division as we continue to transform and grow our categories”.

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