Mars has appointed Christina Ruggiero as Regional President of Mars Pet Nutrition Division, North America, placing her in charge of one of the company’s largest regional businesses. Effective from July 1, Ruggiero took charge of Mars’ pet nutrition operations across the United States and Canada, including brands such as Pedigree, Iams, Sheba, Cesar, Greenies, Temptations and Nutro. The appointment was announced on July 21.
At Mars, Ruggiero will lead Mars Pet Nutrition’s next phase of growth in North America by focusing on science-backed innovation, omnichannel expansion, digital acceleration and operational excellence. She will also work closely with retailers, suppliers, industry partners and agencies to strengthen commercial partnerships and improve the experience for pet owners.
Ruggiero joins Mars from The Coca-Cola Company, where she served as President of the Global Nutrition Category. There, she led a US$9 billion portfolio that included Minute Maid, Simply, fairlife, Maaza, Innocent and Santa Clara, helping to build one of Coca-Cola’s fastest-growing business segments.
Before that, she was President of North America Operations, Central Zone, and spent nearly four years in India as Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd., where she doubled the company’s net worth while significantly expanding its retail footprint.
She holds a Master’s degree in Management from the University of Huddersfield and a Bachelor of Science degree from Marymount College.
Earlier in her career, Ruggiero held procurement, operations and supply chain leadership roles at Diageo and began her professional career as a cryptologist in the US Navy supporting the National Security Agency.
Ruggiero has been recognized throughout her career for her commitment to inclusive leadership and organizational culture. She has earned honors including House of Rose Professional’s ‘Best CEO Leading on Gender Diversity & Inclusion’ and ‘Most Inspirational Woman Leader.’
Mars said the leadership change comes as demand for premium pet nutrition continues to grow across North America. According to the company, nearly two-thirds of Americans now own pets, while more than one-third of pet owners consider their pet the most important part of their lives. Mars also cited research showing that more than four in five pet owners believe nutrition is the single most important contributor to their pet’s health, increasing demand for science-backed nutrition and wellness products.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been drawn to businesses with category-defining brands, strong purpose and opportunities to create meaningful impact,” Ruggiero said. She added that Mars Pet Nutrition combines “world-class science, culturally fluent brands and a deep understanding of the role pets play in people’s lives,” and said she looks forward to accelerating growth, strengthening innovation and helping pet owners make informed nutrition choices.
