Mary Beth West
Mary Beth West retired as Senior Vice President, Chief Growth Officer of The Hershey Company, a global confectionery manufacturer and marketer in 2020. She currently serves as a senior advisor to McKinsey & Co. West has been recognized by Brand Innovators as one of the “Top 100” women in Brand Marketing and was awarded a Working Mother of the Year award from She Runs It. For the past several years, Black Enterprise magazine has named her as one of 100 Most Powerful People in Corporate America.
In her most recent role as SVP, Chief Growth Officer of The Hershey Company, West drove the transformation of the company’s portfolio, brands and culture. West oversaw the company’s growth strategy, innovation, research and development, and M&A ultimately extending the portfolio beyond chocolate to become a snacking powerhouse. West brings over 30 years of general management and consumer and retail marketing experience with expertise in brand management, integrated marketing communications, innovation, M&A and consumer insights and strategy.
Prior to joining Hershey, West served as Executive Vice President, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at JCPenney, where she had served on the Board of Directors for nearly a decade. Previously, West held the top marketing role within Mondelez International, Inc, where she served as Chief Category and Marketing Officer. She worked in numerous leadership positions at General Foods and Kraft most notable as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Kraft Foods. Her inspirational leadership style and passion for consumers, innovation and creativity has unlocked growth on countless brands.
West joined the Hasbro Board of Directors in 2016 and is the Chair of the Nominating, Governance and Social Responsibility Committee and serves on the Finance Committee. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Albertsons and Lowe’s.
She received a Bachelor of Arts in Management from Nazareth College of Rochester and a Master of Business Administration in marketing from Columbia University.
West is currently Chairman of the Board of The Wallace Foundation. She also serves on the board of Trustees for the Gladney Center for Adoption and Lancaster Country Day School. She has been recognized for her achievements by Crain’s Chicago Business, Forbes, Girls Inc., and Advertising Age. Women Inc Magazine recognized West as one of the “Most Influential Corporate Board Members”. West currently lives in Lancaster, PA with her four children.