Frank Discussions with Annie Young-Scrivner

Interview recorded April 30, 2020

To launch the inaugural Frank Discussions interview, Dean Hodge didn’t need to look far to find a visionary and dynamic leader of leaders. In fact, she was right across the (now figurative) boardroom table.

For the last two years, Alumna Annie Young-Scrivner (BA 1991) has chaired the Foster School Advisory Board, a collection of 60 leading executives, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. She also co-chaired the philanthropic campaign to complete Foster’s campus with a third new building in the last decade, which also attracted nearly $200M for people and programs. Annie helped achieve all this while leading GODIVA Chocolatier, Inc., the global maker of premium, artisanal chocolate, as CEO since 2017. Godiva is just the latest stop on a difference-making journey that includes senior executive roles with such respected industry leaders as Starbucks and PepsiCo. She also serves on the boards of Tiffany & Co. and Yum! Brands.

In this episode of Frank Discussions, Annie will talk about redefining success in these challenging times. She discusses engaging customers—and her board—during the global pandemic. Hear how she continues to innovate through social media while staying true to Godiva’s values when faced with tough decisions in a fast-moving yet unprecedentedly remote world. Annie believes a bit of Godiva chocolate can create happiness. She certainly made her alma mater happy by kicking off this fresh new look at leadership today.

Annie Young-Scrivner

CEO, GODIVA Chocolatier, Inc.

A passionate builder of brands and teams around the world, CEO Annie Young-Scrivner has led GODIVA Chocolatier, Inc., the global maker of premium, artisanal chocolate, since 2017. Prior to joining GODIVA, she was part of Starbucks Corporation’s executive team, helping lead Starbucks’ transformation from 2009 to 2017. She held such roles as Global Chief Marketing Officer, EVP for Global Digital & Loyalty Development, President of Teavana Tea, and President of Starbucks Canada. Young-Scrivner also spent 19+ years in senior leadership positions at PepsiCo, including several years abroad as Chairman & President of China Foods & Snacks. She currently serves on the boards of Tiffany & Co. and Yum! Brands. She earned an MBA at the University of Minnesota after receiving her BA in business from UW Foster, where she served as Board Chair from 2018 to 2020.