Starbucks Corp. announced three leadership promotions “to advance the company’s strategic business goals and position,” according to a press release.
The coffee company has promoted John Culver to group president of North America and chief operating officer; Michael Conway to group president of international and channel development; and Michelle Burns to executive vice president of global coffee, tea and cocoa. These changes are effective on June 28.
“These appointments support our ‘growth at scale’ agenda to bring about predictable, sustainable growth for the long term,” said Starbucks president and chief executive Kevin Johnson.
Culver joined Starbucks in 2002 and is credited with growing the company’s international presence to more than 15,000 retail stores.
Conway joined coffeehouse chain in 2013 to lead channel development and since then has gone on to lead Starbucks U.S. licensed stores and Canada businesses. In his new role, he’ll lead Starbucks’ global channels, including its alliance with Nestlé.
Burns is a 26-year Starbucks veteran. The company said her promotion recognizes the role coffee plays in the “intersectionality of Starbucks Planet and People Positive goals within the coffee supply chain, on behalf of our farmers.”
