Amanda Almond Will Lead Hershey International Expansion

The company appointed the seasoned executive to oversee its global growth strategy beginning in mid-October 2026.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in People

Amanda Almond Will Lead Hershey International Expansion

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Hershey has appointed Amanda Almond as its new international president, effective October 12, 2026. She will succeed Rohit Grover as the company looks to accelerate its growth beyond the North American market.

Why it matters

This leadership transition is part of a broader corporate push to expand Hershey's footprint and scale its operations in key markets outside of North America.

Amanda Almond brings over 30 years of professional experience from companies including PepsiCo, Bacardi, and Vinarchy, where she managed business across 57 markets. Her predecessor, Rohit Grover, concludes a 27-year career at Hershey.

The players

Amanda Almond

She is the incoming international president of Hershey who previously held leadership roles at Vinarchy, PepsiCo, and Bacardi.

Rohit Grover

He is the outgoing international president who led Hershey's international operations since 2019 after a 27-year career at the company.

Hershey

This is a prominent American multinational company known for its chocolate and confectionery products.

The details

The board appointed Almond to direct the company's international operations as Hershey shifts focus toward global expansion. She previously served as the regional managing director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Vinarchy.

Timeline

  1. Rohit Grover began leading international operations in 2019.

  2. Amanda Almond assumes the role of international president on October 12, 2026.

Market Landscape

This leadership change signals an aggressive pivot toward global competition as the company seeks to reduce its historical reliance on the North American market. The appointment positions the firm to better challenge international rivals by leveraging executive experience from broader global trade sectors.

Consumers are unlikely to see immediate changes to product availability or pricing as a direct result of this leadership appointment. The shift primarily impacts long-term corporate strategy rather than current retail operations or loyalty programs.

The takeaway

Leadership transitions in large multinationals often precede significant shifts in product distribution and regional marketing strategies. Investors and stakeholders should watch for updated growth targets in future quarterly filings to see how the new international president implements her strategy.

Further reading

For more on industry leadership transitions, visit the People section.

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Does prioritizing gender diversity in senior executive leadership improve overall corporate success?