Conagra Brands appoints John Brase as CEO, succeeding Sean Connolly

USA – Conagra Brands, Inc. has announced that John Brase will take over as President and Chief Executive Officer, marking a planned leadership change at the North America-based packaged food company.

The company said the appointment will become effective on June 1, 2026, with Brase also set to join the board of directors at the same time, while current chief executive Sean Connolly will leave his roles and step down from the board on May 31, 2026, after more than ten years in charge.

The board described the move as part of a structured succession process that included internal discussions involving Connolly and was aimed at ensuring continuity in leadership.

Brase arrives from The J.M. Smucker Co., where he most recently served as President and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing US retail, international, and away-from-home divisions, as well as sales, operations, and supply chain functions.

During his tenure at Smucker, he was responsible for operational and strategic execution across the business, where he worked to improve growth across core brands while also driving efficiency in production and distribution systems.

Before joining Smucker, Brase spent roughly three decades at Procter & Gamble, where he rose to Senior Vice President and General Manager of the North America Family Care business valued at about US$6 billion.

At Procter & Gamble, he managed major consumer brands including Charmin, Bounty, Puffs, and Pampers, focusing on revenue growth, market share gains, and improved profit margins across the portfolio.

Richard H. Lenny, independent chair of Conagra’s board, said Brase brings experience in managing large consumer goods portfolios and leading operational improvements, adding that the company expects continuity in its growth and performance strategy under the incoming chief executive.

Connolly said he was satisfied with the progress made during his tenure, pointing to efforts that simplified Conagra’s structure, expanded brand investment, and reduced non-core assets, while noting that the company had navigated major disruptions, including the pandemic, inflation pressures, and supply chain constraints.

Brase said he is joining Conagra at a time when the company has established a strong base of brands and operations, and expressed his intention to focus on improving performance across revenue, margins, and cash generation while working with the board and management team.

Conagra Brands operates a portfolio of food products in North America, including Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender’s, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim, and BOOMCHICKAPOP, and continues to position itself as a branded packaged foods business focused on consumer demand shifts.

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