Mary Beth Elizabeth Stone West — Senior VP & Chief Growth Officer at Hershey Company

Ms. Mary Beth Elizabeth Stone West has been Chief Growth Officer and Senior Vice President at The Hershey Company since May 1, 2017. Ms. West oversees The Hershey Company's growth strategy including Insights and Analytics, Strategy, marketing excellence functions, Innovation, Research and Development, Mergers and Acquisitions. She is an accomplished business leader who is considered one of the best food executives and marketers in the industry. Her deep experience in growing some of the world's best-known consumer brands and demonstrated ability to transform consumer engagement is tremendous asset to Hershey. She served as the Chief Customer and Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. from June 1, 2015 to April 1, 2017. Ms. West served as the Chief Marketing Officer of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. since June 1, 2015. Ms. West was responsible for revitalizing J.C. Penney's brand, establishing emotional connections with its customers and leveraging customer data to enhance the retailer's marketing efforts. She served as the Chief Category & Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President at Mondelez Global LLC until March 31, 2015. She served as the Chief Category & Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Mondelez International, Inc. (formerly Kraft Foods Inc.) since August 1, 2010 and October 2007 respectively. She served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Mondelez International, Inc. from October 2007 to July 2010 and was responsible for Consumer Insights & Strategy, Integrated Marketing Communications, Consumer Services, Sustainability and the Tassimo hot beverage business on a global basis. She served as the Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Kraft Foods Group, Inc. She has been with Kraft Food for 20 years. Ms. West served as Group Vice President of Mondelez International, Inc. from 2005 to October 2007 and also served as its President of North America Grocery Sector, where she managed brands such as Jell-O gelatin, Cool Whip whipped topping, Grey Poupon mustard and A.1. sauces. She managed a sector with more than $3 billion in revenues, comprised of such iconic brands as Maxwell House coffee, Tassimo, Crystal Light, Capri Sun and Kool-Aid. She began her career in consumer marketing in 1986, when she joined Kraft Food as Associate Product Manager on Maxwell House. Ms. West held a number of marketing positions of increasing responsibility in both the Maxwell House and Desserts Divisions. Since 1998, she served as Vice President, New Business Development to work on new products at Mondelez International, Inc. She served as Vice President of Marketing for the Enhancers Division at Mondelez International, Inc., leading efforts on Miracle Whip salad dressing, Kraft Mayo and Kraft Salad Dressings. In 2001, she was tapped to run Kraft's Meals Division. She has been a Director of Hasbro, Inc. since June 28, 2016. She serves as a Director at J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. She serves as Director for The Advertising Council, Inc. She serves on the board of the Wallace Foundation, Mercy Ships, Off the Street Club and is a strong supporter of the Gladney Center for Adoption. She is a Member for the Executive Leadership Council. She has been recognized for her achievements by Crain's Chicago Business, Girls Inc., and Advertising Age. In 2005, Ms. West was named to Black MBA magazine's '50 under 50.' Previously, in 2002, she was listed as one of the 'Next Generation of Minority Business Leaders' in Minority MBA magazine and was named the 'Distinguished Executive' of the year by the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. One year earlier, she appeared on the list of '40 under 40' in Crain's Chicago Business. She served as a Director of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. from November 17, 2005 to May 15, 2015. Ms. West received a Bachelor of Science in Management from Nazareth College of Rochester and a Master of Business Administration in marketing from Columbia University.