TreeHouse Foods' Board of Directors saw an operational shift this week as Ann M. Sardini, who has served as an independent director since May 2008, was named as its new Chair. The appointment will be effective upon the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in April 2021. Sardini succeeds Gary D. Smith, who has served as Chairman of the Board since July 1, 2018, and will remain on the Board moving forward.
"I am honored to assume this new role at such a pivotal point in time for TreeHouse," said Sardini. "Over the last few years, TreeHouse has made great strides on its transformative growth journey under Steve Oakland's leadership. I'm proud of our talented management team and the tremendous strength of our Board, which Gary has steadfastly guided throughout his tenure as Chairman. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the executive management team and my fellow directors, as we build on our momentum and further champion diversity of perspectives, skills, and backgrounds throughout the organization in support of TreeHouse's ongoing success and long-term value creation for stockholders."
In addition to her experience on TreeHouse's Board, including as the Chair of both the Compensation and Audit Committees, Sardini is an accomplished financial expert and transformation leader with extensive experience in branded and direct-to-consumer goods and services and media companies. She currently leads a strategic consulting practice advising companies in the areas of growth, mergers and acquisitions, capital restructuring, and other value-creating strategies, as noted in a press release.
Sardini's previous roles as a CFO and senior executive spanned multi-national companies and early-stage startups across the health and wellness, retail, and media sectors, including well-known companies such as Weight Watchers International, VitaminShoppe.com, and Sesame Workshop (Children's Television Workshop).
Earlier in her career, Sardini held financial roles of increasing responsibility, including at Q2, a start-up division of direct-to-consumer retailer QVC, and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). She currently chairs the Board of Ideal Protein, a privately held healthcare company, and previously served on the Board of Pier 1 Imports. In 2018, she was named to the Women Inc List of Most Influential Corporate Directors.
"It has been a privilege to serve as the Chairman of TreeHouse's Board as we have transformed the company into the leading private label food company it is today," said Smith. "Ann is a natural choice to assume the Chair position, as her extensive strategic, financial, and governance expertise, along with her deep knowledge of the trends impacting our industry, will continue to be instrumental in guiding TreeHouse's future success. I look forward to supporting Ann in her expanded role and to working alongside my fellow directors in continuing to deliver progress on our strategic objectives."
Congratulations to Ann Sardini on this appointment!
