Michele Buck To Step Down As CEO Of Hershey In 2026

Hershey Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michele Buck will retire on June 30, 2026, after leading the company for over seven years.

Buck, who has worked for the company for almost 20 years, will continue to serve as CEO until a successor is chosen, at which point she will become a senior advisor. The action comes after recent changes in the food industry’s leadership. Among the issues Hershey is dealing with are growing cocoa costs and declining demand as a result of price increases. The company has lowered its revenue forecast and missed third-quarter sales expectations.

A special committee has been formed to find Buck’s replacement, considering both internal and external candidates. Cocoa prices have surged due to crop losses in key producing countries.