Betsy Holden

Betsy D. Holden is a senior advisor to McKinsey & Company, working with clients across industries on strategy, marketing, innovation, and board effectiveness initiatives. Betsy was formerly Co-CEO of Kraft Foods and CEO of Kraft Foods North America. At the time, Kraft Foods was the largest food company in North America and the second largest in the world.

She has 35+ years of experience in consumer goods. In addition to her CEO role at Kraft, Betsy also held the positions of president, Global Marketing and Category Development; executive vice president with responsibility for Operations, IT, Procurement, R&D, and Consumer Insights and Communications; president of the Kraft Cheese Division; president of the Pizza Division; plus multiple line brand management assignments. Betsy introduced new products that generated over $2 billion in revenue and under her leadership Kraft received numerous marketing, new product, and ‘best places to work’ accolades.

Betsy graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a BA from Duke University. Holden received a Masters of management in marketing and finance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management where she was valedictorian. She was named to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women’s list multiple times.

Betsy serves on the Boards of Diageo PLC, Western Union, and Time, Inc., Duke University’s Board of Trustees, and the Kellogg School of Management Executive Committee and Global Advisory Board. Betsy is a senior fellow of the Kellogg Innovation Network, president of the Board of the Off the Street Club, serves on the Board of the Chicago High School for the Arts, and the Board of Trustees of Ravinia. She is also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, the Commercial Club, and the Chicago Network.

Education

Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University MBA

Northwestern University MA in education

Duke University BA in education (summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa)