Ann Fudge, Member of the Board of Directors

Ann Fudge

Board member since 2008

Nationality: American | Year of birth: 1951

Ann Fudge has a track record of success across global technology and consumer goods companies, and is widely considered one of the most influential women in American business. Before serving as chairman and CEO of Young & Rubicam Brands, Ms. Fudge spent 15 years in leadership roles at Kraft Foods Inc. She is deeply committed to social initiatives, including the Executive Leadership Council, a nonprofit focused on helping African American leaders positively impact business and communities. With WGBH Public Media, she has brought greater focus to more diverse media programming and broadening the reach of community- based initiatives. More recently, she has consulted with companies and educational institutions as they develop social justice initiatives.

Professional experience

  • Chairman and CEO, Young & Rubicam Brands, US (2003–2007)
  • President of the Beverages, Desserts and Post Division brands, Kraft Foods Inc., US (2000–2001)
  • Various managerial positions at Kraft Foods Inc., US (1986–2000)

Mandates

  • Board member, Northrop Grumman Corp., US
  • Board member, Catalyst Partners Acquisition Corp., US
  • Senior trustee, the Brookings Institution, US
  • Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, US
  • Chair of the board of trustees, WGBH Public Media, US
  • Chair of the United States Program Advisory Panel, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, US (2007–2019)
  • Member of the visiting committee, Harvard Business School, US (2014–2019)
  • Board member and former vice chair, Unilever PLC and NV, UK and Netherlands (2009–2018)
  • Board member, General Electric Co., US (1999–2015)

Education

  • Master of Business Administration, Harvard Business School, US
  • Bachelor’s degree in management, Simmons College, US

Key skills

  • Leadership/management
  • Environmental, social and governance (ESG)