General Mills has appointed Dana McNabb as group president of both its North America retail and pet divisions, consolidating oversight of two major business segments under one leader, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune. The change takes effect 1 June.
McNabb currently leads General Mills’ North America retail division, the company’s largest unit. She will take on responsibility for the pet segment following the departure of Jon Nudi in March. Nudi, a 32-year company veteran, left to become CEO of Masco Corp.
Liz Mascolo will remain president of the pet segment and report to McNabb.
McNabb was named head of the retail division 18 months ago after serving as chief strategy and growth officer. She previously led operations in Europe and Australia and managed the US cereal business during a period of market share growth.
General Mills acquired petfood brand Blue Buffalo in 2018 for approximately €7.4 billion. Pet segment sales rose to €2.2 billion in 2023 but fell slightly to €2.1 billion in 2024. The pet category had been a growth driver as more consumers sought premium petfood.
Meanwhile, sales in the company’s core food categories have slowed as consumers push back against higher prices. Wells Fargo analysts, in a recent note cited by the Star Tribune, said that “the consumer is now fatigued,” and General Mills executives indicated plans to improve the price-value balance across product lines.
