LAKEVILLE, MA — As Ocean Spray Cranberries approaches its second century in business, the company appointed Abigail Buckwalter as president and CEO to support this new era.

“Abigail is a transformational leader, and we are thrilled to welcome her to Ocean Spray,” said Peter P. Dhillon, Ocean Spray board chair. “She brings both the global business experience needed to drive growth and the instincts to build brands that last. While her track record of operational excellence and innovation is impressive, what truly sets her apart is how she thinks about and enacts people-first leadership every day.”

Most recently, Buckwalter served as CEO of Nestle Health Science, leading an organization of more than 6,000 employees and overseeing a multi-billion-dollar portfolio of global brands. Throughout her tenure at the company, she held various positions across international markets and played a pivotal role in supporting business functions that drove market share gains and profitable growth. Her expertise spans several sectors, including CPG and foodservice.

This background, Dhillon said, paired with her people-centered leadership style, made her the ideal choice to lead Ocean Spray.

“Our industry finds itself at an incredibly dynamic tipping point in consumer behavior and buying habits,” Buckwalter said. “I believe Ocean Spray, with its iconic brand and global platform, is uniquely positioned to deliver against those expectations around taste and health benefits. In my two decades working in consumer-packaged goods, I’ve learned what’s possible when consumer obsession and operational excellence come together. That is what we will strive for, every day, here at Ocean Spray.”