The Coca‑Cola Company announced on December 10, 2025, that Henrique Braun, currently Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will become the company’s CEO effective March 31, 2026. Braun will succeed James Quincey, who has served as CEO for nine years and will transition to the role of Executive Chairman.
The company’s board also plans to nominate Braun for election as a director at its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareowners.
Quincey, who became CEO in 2017 and Chairman of the board in 2019, is recognized for transforming Coca‑Cola into a total beverage company and expanding its portfolio with more than ten additional billion-dollar brands. He guided the company through digital transformation efforts and led it during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quincey also played an important role in creating Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners.
Braun has held various leadership roles since joining Coca‑Cola in 1996. He most recently became EVP and COO in January 2025, overseeing all operating units globally. His previous positions include Senior Vice President and President of International Development from 2023 to 2024, President of Latin America from 2020 to 2022, President of Brazil from 2016 to 2020, and earlier assignments in Greater China & South Korea.
He holds degrees from University Federal of Rio de Janeiro (bachelor’s), Michigan State University (Master of Science), and Georgia State University (MBA). Braun is an American citizen born in California and raised in Brazil.
“James Quincey is a transformative leader,” said David Weinberg, Coca‑Cola’s lead independent director. “James set and executed a strategy that has built Coca‑Cola’s status as a global leader. James will continue to be very active in the business through his role as Executive Chairman. We are confident that Henrique Braun will build on the company’s existing strengths to unlock more growth opportunities and increase the power of the incredible Coca‑Cola system.”
“I’m honored to take on this new role and have tremendous appreciation for everything James has done to lead the company,” Braun said. “I will focus on continuing the momentum we’ve built with our system. We’ll work to unlock future growth in partnership with our bottlers. I’m excited about the future of our business and see huge opportunities in a fast-changing global market.”
“I’m stepping down as CEO after a 30-year career with the company, and I have an appreciation of what a privilege it has been to serve this great and enduring business,” Quincey said. “Henrique is a trusted and highly experienced business partner, and he’s the right leader to steer the company and the Coca‑Cola system for future growth and success.”
Weinberg commented further: “On behalf of the board, I thank James for his outstanding leadership. James has done what a strong CEO should do – he has focused on the future and developing and empowering the next set of leaders who will take Coke forward. Henrique has shown that he is the right leader for the future of Coca‑Cola.”
