Last updated on June 13th, 2024
Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA) in Stamford, Connecticut, has appointed Yumi Clevenger-Lee VP and chief marketing officer (CMO).
Nestlé Waters officials describe Clevenger-Lee as a “seasoned and visionary marketer with a history of taking a consumer-centric approach toward developing products and campaigns.”
Her experience includes product innovation, reinventing brands through purpose, developing engaging campaigns and creating new communication and business models.
Most recently marketing director for Latin America region for Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW), Clevenger-Lee will oversee NWNA’s marketing operations in the U.S. and serve as a member of the NWNA executive team.
CPW is a joint venture between General Mills and Nestlé to manufacture and market cereal globally in more than 120 markets. At CPW, Clevenger-Lee was responsible for all marketing activities in 14 countries, including guiding brand-building communication strategies; creating category and portfolio strengthening initiatives to drive trust with consumers; and delivering a significant increase in volume from innovation and renovation for growth. While marketing director, she and her team launched an assortment of 14 new products in 12 markets and stabilized market share considerably, following three consecutive years of decline, the company says.
Clevenger-Lee began working with Nestlé in 2013, leading the CPW global innovation team based in Vevey, Switzerland. In that role, she helped develop high-impact marketing and advertising campaigns to support multiple new product launches.
Previously, Clevenger-Lee held a number of marketing positions at General Mills. She earned an MBA from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a bachelor of science and bachelor of arts in business and international studies from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
“I am delighted that Yumi will be joining the NWNA team,” said Fernando Mercé, president and CEO of Nestlé Waters North America. “I am confident that her passion for consumers and proven track record of putting them at the heart of new product and campaign development will help us to further our leadership position in the bottled water industry.”
Clevenger-Lee replaces Antonio Sciuto, who is leaving NWNA to consider opportunities both within and outside of Nestlé. While at NWNA, Sciuto led the digital transformation of the company, “step-changing our online performance and revamping brands, including the successful relaunch of the Regional Brands Sparkling line which resulted in market share gains,” according to NWNA, which offers a portfolio of bottled water brands including Poland Spring, Nestlé Pure Life, Perrier and S. Pellegrino. The company also owns and operates ReadyRefresh by Nestlé, a customizable water and beverage delivery service, and Just Click and Quench.
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