Conagra Brands, Inc. has announced that John Brase will serve as the company’s next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2026. Brase will also join the Conagra Board of Directors. He succeeds Sean Connolly, who is stepping down on May 31, 2026, after 11 years of leadership that saw the company pivot to a pure-play, branded food platform.
The transition follows a structured succession planning process. To ensure continuity, outgoing CEO Sean Connolly will work closely with Brase throughout the handover period.
CPG Scale and Operational Excellence
John Brase joins Conagra with over 35 years of experience in the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) sector. His background is characterised by high-level management of multi-billion dollar portfolios and a focus on operational productivity.
Key leadership milestones in Brase's career include:
The J.M. Smucker Co.: Most recently served as President and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing U.S. retail, international, and Away from Home divisions. His tenure focused on sharpening operational execution and driving growth in core brands.
Procter & Gamble (P&G): Spent approximately 30 years at the global giant, ultimately serving as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the $6 billion North America Family Care business. He was instrumental in the market leadership of iconic brands, including Charmin, Bounty, and Pampers.
Richard H. Lenny, Independent Chair of Conagra’s Board, stated that Brase’s track record of leveraging advantaged business systems and driving top-line performance makes him the ideal candidate to lead Conagra’s next chapter.
The Connolly Legacy
The leadership change marks the end of an era for Sean Connolly, who took the helm in 2015. Under Connolly’s direction, Conagra underwent a total structural overhaul, divesting non-core assets to become a focused, pure-play branded food company.
Strategic accomplishments during the Connolly era include:
Frozen and Snacks Expansion: Scaling Conagra’s presence in high-growth, high-margin categories.
Structural Streamlining: Simplifying the corporate hierarchy to improve agility.
Resilience through Volatility: Navigating the company through the global pandemic and subsequent inflationary pressures via a "refuse to lose" operational mindset.
As Brase prepares to take control, his primary focus will be on accelerating revenue growth and strengthening margins. He has indicated that his priorities include generating robust cash flow and unlocking the full potential of Conagra’s iconic brand portfolio, which includes Birds Eye, Marie Callender’s, and Slim Jim.
Industry analysts expect Brase to apply the "productivity improvement" strategies utilised during his time at Smucker to Conagra’s supply chain and sales functions. His deep experience in "Away from Home" channels may also suggest a renewed focus on expanding Conagra’s footprint within the foodservice and hospitality sectors.
The appointment comes as Conagra continues to defend its market share in the frozen and snack aisles against private-label expansion and shifting consumer health preferences. With the transition effective June 1, 2026, the market will be closely watching for any adjustments to the company’s capital allocation strategy or potential M&A activity as Brase applies his P&G-rooted expertise to Conagra’s diverse food categories.
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