The CEO of Hershey on Turning a Candy Company into a Snacks Empire

For decades in the United States, the name Hershey has been synonymous with chocolate. From the iconic foil-wrapped Hershey’s Kiss to the chocolate syrup for milk or ice cream, the company’s offerings have been enjoyed by generations of consumers. Over its long history Hershey has found dozens of ways to keep innovating with chocolate and other sweet treats—different brands, flavors, sizes, packaging, and products—and taken them to other geographic regions.

In the past few years, however, the company has embarked on a more ambitious journey. First, it set a bold new strategy: to make Hershey a powerhouse in snacks as well as confections, by expanding into savory and better-for-you product categories. Then it streamlined global operations, bolstered its core businesses, developed a more courageous culture, and executed a series of diversifying acquisitions. In the process, Hershey became more entrepreneurial, adaptable, and resilient.