Management

Svagdis tapped as new Sodexo CEO for U.S. campus and government services

Feb. 11, 2025

Michael Svagdis will succeed Brett Ladd as CEO, Campus and Government Services, U.S. for Sodexo, as Ladd retires following a 36-year career with the company.

Related To: Sodexo

Michael Svagdis tapped as new Sodexo CEO for U.S. campus and government services

Michael Svagdis will succeed Brett Ladd as CEO of Sodexo's Campus and Government Services, U.S., after Ladd retires after a 36-year career with the company. The change is effective February 17.

Svagdis joins Sodexo after 10 years as CEO of SSP America, an operator of food and beverage outlets in airports across the U.S., Canada, Bermuda and Brazil. During that time, he led the company through a period of extraordinary growth. Prior to that, he held executive leadership roles at Compass Group, overseeing large-scale food service programs across corporate campuses and healthcare systems.

What they are saying

“Michael is a phenomenal leader with a proven track record of delivering strong results and building lasting relationships,” said Sarosh Mistry, president and CEO, Sodexo North America, in a release. “We see significant opportunities to expand our impact in the higher education space while also continuing to bolster our offerings in government services. Michael’s expertise in large-scale food service programs makes him the ideal leader to drive growth and innovation in these important markets. Equally as important, Michael’s leadership philosophy — centered on people, culture, and performance — aligns seamlessly with our mission and reflects the value and differentiation that Sodexo brings to clients, associates, and communities.”

“I am excited to get started working with our partners and teams to further enhance the company’s industry position and deliver outsized value to clients by leaning even more into talent development, operational efficiency, and collaboration, which are hallmarks of the organization,” Svagdis said in a release.