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Hershey Announces the Retirement of CEO Michele Buck in 2026

Hershey Announces the Retirement of CEO Michele Buck in 2026

The company will soon have a new CEO. 

Since 2017, Michele Buck has served as Hershey’s first female CEO, transforming the company into a leader in the snacking industry. Hershey, known for its iconic chocolate bars, Reese’s, and Kit Kats, expanded its product portfolio and achieved record growth under her leadership.

In a recent announcement, Hershey confirmed that Buck plans to retire on June 30, 2026. The company’s Board of Directors has formed a special committee to find her successor and the board will consider “external and internal candidates.”

“It has been the pinnacle of my career to lead Hershey,” Buck said. The American businesswoman added that she is “immensely proud” of what the company has accomplished. 

With 20 years at Hershey and over 25 years in the consumer goods industry, Buck leaves a legacy of growth and is considered the “key architect of the company’s expansion into broader snacking categories.”

Hershey also confirmed its 2024 financial outlook and plans to announce its 2025 guidance in February. “We are confident we will execute a seamless transition,” said Victor Crawford, Lead Independent Director of the Board. 

Buck held key leadership roles at Hershey, including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Growth Officer, and helped expand the company in North America and internationally. 
Throughout her career, Buck earned recognition on Fortune’s Most Powerful Women list from 2017 to 2021, and again in 2023.