Finance
Conagra Brands Names John Brase as New CEO
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 13, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 13, 2026
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Conagra Brands appointed John Brase as its new president and CEO, effective June 1, 2026, succeeding Sean Connolly, who will step down from his roles and the board as of May 31, 2026. Brase brings over three decades of leadership in consumer packaged goods from his recent tenure at J.M. Smucker and
Conagra Brands names Smucker executive John Brase as new CEO
Leadership Transition and Strategic Outlook at Conagra Brands
Appointment of John Brase as CEO
April 13 (Reuters) - Conagra Brands on Monday named J.M. Smucker executive John Brase as its new CEO, to steer the packaged food maker through softening consumer spending in the U.S. and a shifting tariff and geopolitical environment.
Succession Details
Brase will succeed Sean Connolly, who will step down after more than 11 years at the helm of Conagra and leave the board on May 31.
Context of the CEO Change
The CEO change comes less than a month after the company lowered its annual profit forecast nL6N40K0UW, citing increased uncertainty tied to global trade tensions.
John Brase's Professional Background
Brase, 58, will join the company's board of directors and assume the CEO role on June 1. An industry veteran, he most recently served as president and chief operating officer of J.M. Smucker, where he oversaw the company's U.S. retail, international and "Away From Home" businesses.
Previous Experience
Before joining Smucker, Brase spent roughly three decades at Procter & Gamble.
Sean Connolly's Tenure and Achievements
Connolly, during his tenure, had invested heavily in innovation, expanded the company's presence in frozen foods and snacks, acquired Birds Eye maker Pinnacle Foods and also divested some non-core businesses.
Career Background
He had joined in 2015 from Hillshire Brands, where he was the CEO from the time of its formation as an independent company to its sale to Tyson Foods.
Stock Performance Under Connolly
Connolly also oversaw a run-up in Conagra's shares to a record high of $41.68 in 2017, though the stock has lost about 60% of its value in the last nearly three years.
Industry Challenges and Company Strategy
The company has also been under pressure from shifting consumer tastes linked to appetite-suppressing GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.
Product Innovation and Market Response
Conagra Brands has said it is investing in snacks such as its Slim Jim meat sticks, nuts and seeds, and issued a report last year that highlighted rising demand for protein-forward, portion-controlled and nutrient-dense foods, especially among Gen Z and millennials.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Sanskriti Shekhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid and Devika Syamnath)
Key Takeaways
- •John Brase joins from The J.M. Smucker Co., where he served as President and COO since April 2025, overseeing key segments including U.S. retail coffee, pet foods, frozen handheld, sales, operations, and supply chain. (investors.jmsmucker.com)
- •Brase brings 30-plus years of CPG experience, including senior roles at Procter & Gamble where he managed the North America Family Care business. (jmsmucker.com)
- •Sean Connolly, who has led Conagra since March 2015 and previously held executive roles at Hillshire Brands, Sara Lee and Campbell Soup, will depart both his executive position and board seat by May 31, 2026. (conagrabrands.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Conagra Brands names John Brase as new CEO
1Who has been named the new CEO of Conagra Brands?
John Brase has been named the new president and CEO of Conagra Brands.
2When will John Brase assume the role of CEO at Conagra Brands?
John Brase will become CEO effective June 1, 2026.
3Who is John Brase succeeding as CEO of Conagra Brands?
John Brase is succeeding Sean Connolly as CEO of Conagra Brands.
4When is Sean Connolly stepping down from his leadership roles at Conagra Brands?
Sean Connolly will step down from his roles and from the Board on May 31, 2026.
