EMERYVILLE, CALIF. — Michele Kessler has joined organic super herb beverage brand Rebbl as chief executive officer. She succeeds Sheryl O’Loughlin, who is leaving Rebbl to continue focusing on volunteer work.
Ms. Kessler has nearly 30 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry, most recently as president of the protein bar company thinkThin, where she doubled the business and led an acquisition of over $200 million. Prior to thinkThin she was senior vice-president of the client development group at Univision Communications, Inc. Earlier, she was with Mars, Inc., where she was vice-president of global chocolate strategy and chief marketing officer. She also spent nine years at Kraft Foods Inc. in a variety of roles, including vice-president of crackers, senior director for confections new business, and director of gums business.
Mr. Kessler succeeds Sheryl O’Loughlin, who has served a c.e.o. since 2015. Under Ms. O’Loughlin’s leadership, the company achieved B Corp status and grew tenfold. She is leaving Rebbl to continue focusing on the volunteer work that has become a cornerstone of the company’s culture. She will also serve on the boards of One Step Closer to an Organic Sustainable Community (OSC2) and Foodstirs.
"Sheryl has overseen the creation of one of the best management teams in the industry and established REBBL as an industry leader in impact," said Kim Perdikou, chair of the board at Rebbl. "She has inspired us and challenged us to lead with our hearts, and she will be dearly missed. We're thrilled to usher in this new era of Rebbl under Michele's leadership and embark on a new journey of growth with her at the helm."
The company said Ms. Kessler’s experience growing thinkThin into a nationally recognized brand with country-wide distribution in both natural and conventional retailers will help her continue the growth experienced during Ms. O’Loughlin’s tenure. FBN