Ann Simonds

An experienced consumer goods professional with deep expertise in marketing management, customer insight, consumer products, and integrated marketing, Ann strengthens the company’s commercial growth and brand recognition.

Over the course of a 20-year career at General Mills, Ann held numerous leadership roles; prior to becoming Chief Marketing Officer, she served as President of Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, and Immaculate Baking, honing her operating experience in the wheat, cocoa, and sugar industries. As CMO, Ann led the company’s marketing function and marketing services organization, Gcom. It was under her leadership that General Mills launched a series of widely acclaimed philanthropic initiatives, including the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories® literacy program, the Stirring Up Wishes campaign for the Make a Wish Foundation, and Bake the Change™, a Betty Crocker program that inspires people to make a difference in the world through baking. In addition, Ann oversaw the company's community-oriented programs, such as the United Way campaign and the Women’s Forum, and was closely involved with Partners in Food Solutions, an initiative created to strengthen food security, improve nutrition, and increase economic development across Africa by expanding and increasing the competitiveness of the food processing sector.

Before joining General Mills, Ann spent five years in product management at Johnson & Johnson. She received her MBA at Harvard Business School. She currently serves on the board of The Brand Lab and as the Chairman of the Board at the Hennepin Theater Trust.