Buckwalter transitions to the US-based company after a notable tenure at Nestlé’s Health Science US division, where she oversaw a team of more than 6,000 individuals as CEO for the past three years.
Her appointment at Ocean Spray concludes a distinguished career with Nestlé that spanned over 16 years, beginning in 2010 when she took on the role of marketing manager.
Throughout her tenure with Nestlé Health Science, Buckwalter occupied numerous high-level positions, such as global marketing lead, business executive officer for Oceania, and vice-president for consumer, digital, and medical marketing initiatives. She also served as president of US professional health along with global strategy, marketing, and innovation, ultimately stepping into the CEO position in October 2023.
“Our industry finds itself at an incredibly dynamic tipping point in consumer behaviour and buying habits,” she remarked.
She went on to express her confidence in Ocean Spray, stating, “I believe Ocean Spray, with its iconic brand and global platform, is uniquely positioned to deliver against those expectations around taste and health benefits.”
Buckwalter emphasized, “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.”
She succeeds Tom Hayes, the former CEO, who announced his retirement late last year.
Hayes joined Ocean Spray during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and is recognized for establishing a “new strategic vision” that positions the cooperative favorably for Buckwalter’s guidance.
Chairman Peter Dhillon remarked, “Abigail is a transformational leader, and we are thrilled to welcome her to Ocean Spray. She brings both the global business experience needed to drive growth and the instincts to build brands that last.”
He concluded, “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. That combination of global vision and human-centred approach is exactly what is needed to lead Ocean Spray into its second century of business.”
