SPRINGDALE, ARK. — On Dec. 8, Tyson Foods Inc. announced Melanie Boulden will fulfill a newly created role as chief growth officer and executive vice president, effective Feb. 6, 2023. Boulden will oversee consumer and corporate branding, innovation, R&D, communications, and consumer insights and analytics.

Responsible for all aspects of global brand marketing to foster the growth of the company’s portfolio of brands and products, Boulden will report to chief executive officer Donnie King.

“Melanie is an exceptional talent and a proven leader in growing global household brand businesses. She has the creative, operational and financial experience to drive value creation across Tyson Foods’ brand portfolio,” King said. “The introduction of the new chief growth officer role will allow Melanie to develop a world-class center of excellence around brand marketing that will be critical as Tyson Foods continues to focus on future growth.”

With over 20 years of experience in food, packaged and consumer goods marketing, Boulden most recently served as chief marketing officer of Coca-Cola North America. There, she led the company in a multibillion-dollar portfolio that included more than 20 brands in addition to Coca-Cola. Boulden also served as president of the Still Beverages business unit for Coca-Cola North America and was president and general manager of Venturing and Emerging Brands. Prior to her time with Coca-Cola, Boulden served as global head of marketing and brand management at Reebok and has held marketing management roles at Crayola, Kraft Foods and Henkel Consumer Goods. Additionally, she serves on the board of directors of Adobe.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Iowa State University and an MBA with concentrations in marketing and finance from The University of Iowa.

“As Tyson Foods continues on its strong growth trajectory as a global food leader, I am pleased to be in a role where I will help drive the long-term growth of the company’s broad portfolio of products and iconic brands,” Boulden said. “I look forward to becoming part of the outstanding leadership team in place at the company, joining a community of world-class team members, and delivering for its customers and consumers around the world.”