"It is an honor and a privilege to lead General Mills into the future,” McNabb says. "Returning the company to profitable growth is the priority, and we know how we'll get there. By building industry-leading, digitally enabled demand generation, and modernizing our supply chain, we will fundamentally improve how we operate. This is a company with the brands and the people to win — my job is to make sure we do.”

Over her 27-year career at General Mills, McNabb has held several senior leadership positions across the company in general management, enterprise strategy, marketing and international. As chief operating officer, she currently leads all four General Mills operating segments and key operating functions, including North America Retail, North America Pet, North America Foodservice, International, Sales, Supply Chain, and Innovation, Technology and Quality.

McNabb served as group president of North America Retail starting in 2024 and added North America Pet to her responsibilities in 2025. She previously held roles as chief strategy and growth officer; group president, Europe & Australia segment; president of the U.S. Cereal operating unit; and vice president of global marketing for Cereal Partners Worldwide, the company’s joint venture with Nestlé headquartered in Switzerland. 

McNabb started her General Mills career in Canada in 1999, and she holds a bachelor's degree in commerce from the University of Ottawa and a master's degree in business administration from the London Business School.

“Following a robust, multi-year succession planning process, the board is confident that Dana is the right executive to lead the company through its next chapter of growth and value creation,” says Maria Henry, the board’s independent lead director. “Dana has made significant contributions as a key member of the executive leadership of the company over the past few years, and across the business globally throughout her career. She has a strong track record of success and a deep understanding of our consumers, our brands, our company and our industry. Dana is an outstanding leader with a clear strategic vision that she will translate into tangible outcomes for our shareholders, employees and the communities we serve.”

Harmening joined General Mills in 1994 and has held a variety of leadership roles over his 30-year tenure. Before assuming his current role, Harmening was president and chief operating officer, with responsibility for the Global Supply Chain and Innovation, Technology and Quality teams, as well as the company’s four global operating segments. Prior to this role, he led U.S. Retail. Harmening also previously served as senior vice president and chief executive officer of Cereal Partners Worldwide.

“It’s been an incredible honor,” Harmening says. “I sincerely thank the entire General Mills team for all they have done to advance our Accelerate strategy, often against the most trying of circumstances. Looking ahead, I am confident that Dana has the vision, urgency and intellect needed to advance our next chapter. I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand her ability to drive transformation and build a high-performing culture. She is the right leader for this time, one that will take our company to the next level.”

“On behalf of the board, I also want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jeff,” Henry adds. “Under his leadership, General Mills has become a larger company with a stronger portfolio. It has delivered over $17 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases and revamped a third of its portfolio for greater growth, including the addition of the growing Pet category. The company has benefited from Jeff’s steadfast and calm leadership during nearly a decade of extraordinary and unprecedented circumstances. We are fortunate to have Jeff continue as executive chair of the board to help ensure a smooth transition.”