Beverages
10 CMOs in Beverages
These ten executives hold or have held the chief marketing officer title at beverage companies. A reader can learn how beverage marketing leaders build brands, make innovation and portfolio choices, and organize marketing teams across markets.
Professionals to explore
01—10Cristina Diezhandino
LinkedInExperience: Chief Marketing Officer · Diageo
Chief Marketing Officer at Diageo since July 2020. Her earlier Diageo roles include Global Category Director Scotch and Reserve Brands (2017–2020), Managing Director Global Reserve (2015–2017), General Manager Central America & Caribbean (2013–2015) and Marketing & Innovation Director Africa (2009–2012). The profile describes Diageo as a global leader in beverage alcohol.
Ilene Bergenfeld
LinkedInExperience: Chief Marketing Officer · Harvest Hill Beverage Company
Chief Marketing Officer at Harvest Hill Beverage Company since July 2014. Before that she was Senior Director of Marketing at PepsiCo for the Global Snacks Group (2012–2014), Global Hydration (2011–2012) and North American Beverages (2010–2011), and a Senior Vice President at SymphonyIRI/Information Resources Inc (2008–2010).
Jane Prior
LinkedInExperience: Chief Marketing Officer · Vita Coco
Chief Marketing Officer at Vita Coco since August 2014, after serving as VP, US Marketing there (2009–2014); the profile describes Vita Coco as a beverage manufacturing company. She was earlier Director of Marketing at Red Bull New York (2006–2008) and has been a board member of Pip & Nut since 2024.
Kirsty Hunter
LinkedInExperience: Chief Marketing Officer · innocent drinks
Chief Marketing Officer at innocent drinks since March 2020; her headline lists transformation, innovation, R&D, international, corporate comms and sustainability. Before innocent she held marketing director roles at Britvic plc (2013–2020), including Global Category Marketing Director for flavour concentrates, kids, Water Plus and future innovation, and brand marketing director roles covering Robinsons, Fruit Shoot, Pepsi and 7-up.
Matthew Pechman
LinkedInExperience: Chief Marketing Officer · Milestone Brands, LLC
Chief Marketing Officer at Milestone Brands, LLC since October 2022, where the profile says he leads all marketing for the spirits supplier's brands, including Dulce Vida Tequila, Empress 1908 Gin and Campo Bravo Tequila. He was earlier Head Of Marketing, Shiner Beers and Trumer Pils at The Gambrinus Company (2020–2022) and Chief Marketing Officer, Armand de Brignac Champagne and D'USSE Cognac (2019–2020).
Oliver Holzmann
LinkedInExperience: Chief Marketing Officer · Gorilla Energy Drink
Chief Marketing Officer at Gorilla Energy Drink since January 2025, where the profile says he leads global marketing across 29+ markets and rebuilt the global brand architecture. He was previously Vice President Global Marketing at Black Diamond Equipment (2020–2023) and, at Red Bull, VP of Marketing USA WEBU (2015–2019) and Head of Culture & On Premise Marketing USA (2012–2015).
Pauline Varga
LinkedInExperience: Chief Marketing Officer · Suntory Beverage & Food Europe
Chief Marketing Officer at Suntory Beverage & Food Europe since April 2026, after serving as Chief Category Expansion Officer at Suntory Beverage & Food (2024–2026). She was earlier Directrice Marketing Europe (Mkg VP Europe) at Suntory Beverage & Food Europe (2023–2024) and Directrice Marketing / Marketing Vice President at Suntory Beverage & Food France (2018–2023), and before that General Manager Danone Yoghurt & Category Advocacy at Danone (2016–2018).
Sofia Colucci
LinkedInExperience: Chief Marketing Officer · Molson Coors Beverage Company
Chief Marketing Officer at Molson Coors Beverage Company since February 2023; her headline describes the role as CMO North America. Before that she was Global Vice President - Miller Family of Brands & Economy Portfolio (2021–2023), Global Vice President - Miller Family of Brands (2020–2021) and Vice President - North America Innovation (2019–2020) at Molson Coors, and Vice President Innovation at MillerCoors (2018–2019).
Tarun Bhagat
LinkedInExperience: Chief Marketing Officer, India Beverages · PepsiCo
Chief Marketing Officer, India Beverages at PepsiCo since May 2023, and since August 2024 also Chief Marketing Officer and Lead Away from Home Channel for the India beverages business unit. Earlier PepsiCo roles include Senior Director Marketing for M.Dew, 7Up and Mirinda in International Beverages (2021–2023) and Brand Director for Pepsi, Gatorade and Aquafina (2018–2021).
Titiporn Thammapimookkul
LinkedInExperience: Chief Marketing Officer · Singha Corporation
Chief Marketing Officer at Singha Corporation since July 2020, after serving as Marketing Director there (2015–2020). The headline gives the role as Chief Marketing Officer, Boonrawd Trading and Singha Worldwide, and the profile links the company to Boon Rawd Brewery. Before Singha, the profile lists a Senior Vice President role at Citi (2007–2014).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's category and company scale to yours, since marketing at a global brewer or spirits group differs from marketing at a challenger soft drink or energy brand. Look at the path each person took to the role, such as brand management, innovation or regional general management, and pick the one closest to your question.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you split marketing spend between brand building, innovation launches and retail or on-premise activation?
- 02How do you decide which new flavors, formats or brand extensions to launch, and when to cut them?
- 03How do you structure the marketing team and agency roster across countries or channels?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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