Movin’ on, up and out: A new CMO for Regrow Ag, controversy as Bud Light execs take leave

To keep us all up to speed on the latest people moves in agrifood, AFN publishes a monthly column of the industry’s biggest leadership changes.

Are you in a new role or company? Know someone who has left? Drop me a line to share the details: [email protected].

A new CMO for ag software startup Regrow Ag

Sarah-Beth Anders joins Regrow Ag from Guild, where she was SVP of B2B marketing. Past companies also include Greenhouse Software and LinkedIn.

In a blog post, she wrote that Regrow’s focus on helping farmers transition to regenerative ag initially attracted her to the role. “I was drawn to the idea of working towards a more sustainable and resilient food system.”

Under her direction, Regrow will “partner with CPGs, retailers, and agricultural producers to realize their net-zero commitments over the next 10-30 years through regenerative agriculture,” she wrote.

Anders also cited the birth of her daughter as a major factor in her decision to join a climate-focused startup: “I am determined to ensure [my daughter] knows that her mom did everything she could to fix the damage that generations before her created.”

Two AB InBev execs on leave after Bud Light backlash

In less rosy marketing news, Bud Light VP of marketing Alissa Heinerscheid, and Daniel Blake, group vice president of marketing for AB InBev’s mainstream brands, took leave after major backlash over Bud Light’s collaboration with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Sources told The Wall Street Journal that the move was not voluntary for either exec.

Bud Light — along with Heinerscheid and Blake — was the recipient of much ire in the US after the brand sponsored one of Mulvaney’s Instagram posts. Ire in this case being boycotts, slumping sales, and bomb threats. 

On the company’s earnings call, CEO CEO Michel Doukeris said it was “too early to have a full view” of how much the situation would impact the company.

Heinerscheid, Bud Light’s vice president of marketing, will be replaced by Todd Allen, global vice president of Budweiser. AB InBev has not yet named a replacement for Blake. 

In a statement, AB InBev said the changes were to “streamline the structure of our marketing function” and be “more closely connected to every aspect of our brands’ activities”.

More people moves

🥩 Meat producer JBS USA names new CEO. Wesley Batista Filho stepped into the role May 1, following the retirement of former-CEO Tim Schellpeper. Batista Filho, who joined JBS in 2011, assumes the new role in the midst of several PR battles JBS is fighting, including claims of price fixing and an investigation into child labor at some of its facilities. 

♻️ Angie Crone becomes permanent CEO of the Upcycled Food Association. Crone has served as interim CEO since November 2022. UFA says that under her leadership so far, its membership grew 38% and its Upcycled Certified program “doubled in size,” to 374 certified products and ingredients.

🌿 Impossible Foods alum Jessica Applegren joins Alphabet X as Marcomms Lead for “mature projects”. She will oversee marketing and communications projects for Google-founded X, more than half of which are now focused on climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, including sustainable ag initiative Mineral.

🌾 Lanette Shaffer Werner is General Mills’ new chief innovation, technology and quality officer. She’s held several roles in research, development, innovation and technology at General Mills since starting with the company in 1995. She succeeds Jodi Benson, who is retiring in July after 32 years with the company.