Overview of Leadership Transition at Nestlé
- Nestlé appoints Antonia Wanner as chief communications and sustainability officer starting September
- Wanner brings extensive experience in legal procurement, sales, and sustainability spanning three decades
- The combined role aims to enhance stakeholder trust and alignment through integrated communications and sustainability
- This appointment highlights a strategic emphasis on execution, credibility, and sustainable value generation
- The initiative underscores Nestlé’s commitment to cohesive messaging amid increasing examination of sustainability assertions
Nestlé has announced Antonia Wanner as the new chief communications and sustainability officer, effective from 1 September 2026, and a member of the Group Executive Board.
Currently, she holds the position of chief sustainability officer.
Introducing Antonia Wanner
Wanner became part of Nestlé in 1996 as an in-house attorney and has since ascended to various top roles in procurement, sales, and sustainability.
She has a PhD in Law and has participated in executive programs at IMD in Lausanne and at the University of Cambridge.
“Antonia will enhance our corporate communications, ensuring it drives significant business impact, aligns seamlessly with our strategic objectives, and is focused on disciplined execution,” states Philipp Navratil, CEO of Nestlé. “By integrating corporate communications with sustainability, we will bolster credible stakeholder engagement and promote long-term value creation.”
She succeeds Lisa Gibby, who has “chosen to return to the US” after a tenure of six years at Nestlé’s headquarters in Vevey, Switzerland.
“I am grateful for her leadership and valuable contributions,” remarks Navratil.
Strategic Alignment of Sustainability and Communications
Nestlé’s latest actions indicate a commitment to a more cohesive strategy concerning reputation, responsibility, and business growth.
By consolidating communications and sustainability under a single leader with substantial institutional expertise, the organization aims to elevate these functions as critical components of its core strategy rather than mere support activities.
Wanner’s new role reflects Nestlé’s intent to strengthen the connection between its sustainability objectives and stakeholder communication, potentially enhancing trust and accountability during a period of increased scrutiny.
For rivals, Nestlé’s initiative sets a higher standard for the integration of sustainability, communications, and overall strategy.
