Keurig Dr Pepper names new chief research and development officer

Dec. 6, 2022
Dr. Karin Rotem-Wildeman will lead product development, packaging innovation, flavor technology and associated R&D capabilities.

Keurig Dr Pepper announced the appointment of Dr. Karin Rotem-Wildeman to the position of chief research & development officer, effective Jan. 9, 2023, reporting to chairman and CEO Bob Gamgort. In this role, Rotem-Wildeman will lead product development, packaging innovation, flavor technology and associated R&D capabilities. She succeeds David Thomas, who is retiring from KDP after 16 years with the company, as previously announced. 

Rotem-Wildeman joins KDP with 25 years of leadership experience driving product innovation and commercialization for leading global food and beverage companies as well as industry-disruptive startups. She was most recently chief scientific officer at the Livekindly Collective, a plant-based startup with a portfolio of established brands as well as innovative new products.

Prior to that role, Rotem-Wildeman was global head of R&D at Godiva Chocolatier. Before joining Godiva, she had spent 18 years with PepsiCo in global R&D leadership roles across beverages and food, with her last as senior vice president, Beverage Regional R&D. During her time at the company, she led innovation into emerging white spaces as well as renovation in core categories and oversaw work in process development, strategy and portfolio management, and venture capital investment. Rotem-Wildeman began her career in research engineering in the foodservice division of Nestlé.

Rotem-Wildeman holds a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Lehigh University.  She currently serves on the department advisory boards of both academic institutions.

Bob Gamgort stated in the announcement, "Karin is an accomplished R&D leader and CPG executive with a proven track record in concept-to-shelf innovation across multiple product categories. I look forward to working with her as we continue to deliver against our vision to meet every beverage need."

Related

Photo 150008800 © Jonathan Weiss | Dreamstime.com
Dreamstime Xxl 150008800
Management

Keurig Dr Pepper appoints chief financial officer

Oct. 26, 2022
Sudhanshu Priyadarshi is a seasoned global finance, strategy and operations executive, with more than 20 years of leadership experience in the food and beverage, retail, pharmaceutical...
Photo 196204710 © Alena Butor | Dreamstime.com
Dreamstime Xxl 196204710
Management

Keurig Dr Pepper announces three new supply chain leadership appointments

Oct. 17, 2022
Roger Johnson has been promoted to chief supply chain officer; Christopher Martin has been promoted to SVP, coffee supply chain. Paul DaRosa has been promoted to SVP, cold beverages...
Keurig Dr Pepper
Kdp Logo Full Color
Management

Keurig Dr Pepper announces executive leadership team changes in advance of CEO transition

July 20, 2022
Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. announced changes to its executive leadership team in advance of the company's previously announced CEO transition at the end of this month.

Sweets & Snacks Expo / National Confectioners Association
Quaker mascot at 2024 Sweet & Salty Expo / National Confectioners Association
Illustration 164200648 © Michalsuszycki | Dreamstime.com
stock image acquisition puzzle pieces
Atlantic Coast Exposition (ACE Expo)
Atlantic Coast Exposition (ACE Expo) 2025 committee