ATLANTA – In a significant leadership transition, The Coca-Cola Company has named Tapaswee Chandele as its new Global Chief People Officer, effective May 1, 2026. Chandele succeeds Lisa Chang, who is stepping down from the role after a successful seven-year tenure.
A Career Built at Coca-Cola
Chandele’s appointment marks a remarkable 25-year journey within the beverage giant. Having joined the company in India in 2001, she has held pivotal leadership roles across multiple continents, including postings in Türkiye and South Africa, before moving to the company’s global headquarters in the United States in 2017.
Her most recent high-level roles include:
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Current Role: Senior Vice President and Executive Assistant to the President and CFO, John Murphy.
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Previous Leadership: Senior Vice President of Global Talent, Development, and HR System Partnerships (2019–2025).
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Board Membership: She currently serves on the board of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) in India.
New Leadership Structure
In her new capacity, Chandele will report directly to CEO Henrique Braun. Her deep understanding of global talent markets and HR systems is expected to drive the company’s workforce strategy as it navigates evolving labor trends and digital transformation.
Smooth Transition
Outgoing Chief People Officer Lisa Chang will remain with the company through the end of 2026 as a Senior Advisor. This ensures a smooth handover of responsibilities. Additionally, Chang will continue to contribute to the company’s social initiatives by serving on the board of The Coca-Cola Foundation.
This appointment underscores Coca-Cola’s “promote from within” philosophy, placing a seasoned veteran with extensive emerging-market experience at the helm of its global human resources operations.
