PARSIPPANY, NJ — Global sweet packaged foods leader Ferrero Group announced the appointment of Alanna Cotton as president and chief business officer of its North America division. Cotton replaces Todd Siwak, who is stepping down to return to private equity.
“I’m excited to join Ferrero North America and lead this incredible team and portfolio of beloved brands on its continued growth trajectory,” Cotton said. “The company’s global presence and rapid expansion on the continent is impressive and I’m thrilled to help move the business forward in this new chapter.”
Cotton will take on the role effective Sept. 1 and will be responsible for the company’s business in the US, Canada and Caribbean, in addition to building Ferrero’s growing footprint and capabilities for brands like Keebler, Famous Amos and Mother’s.
She will report to Ferrero Group CEO Lapo Civiletti and support the company’s global business strategy of strengthening its position in the sweet packaged food category. This continues Ferrero’s work in expanding its North American capabilities with a new plant in Brantford, Ontario, and the new R&D center in Chicago.
Cotton was most recently the Coca-Cola Company’s president of operations for central and eastern Europe. She has previously held executive positions at PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble and Samsung Electronics America. She holds an MBA from Stanford University and a Bin environmental engineering from Northwestern University.
