Michael B. Polk

Career Polk joined Kraft Foods in 1987 and has held marketing positions in the company’s coffee/beverages businesses. In 1998, he was named Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Post cereals brand. In January 2000, he assumed leadership of the Asia Pacific Region for the company.

In 2001, Kraft Foods named Polk Group Vice President, Kraft Foods North America, and President of the Nabisco Biscuit & Snacks Group.

In 2011, Newell Brands appointed Polk to the position of CEO. Before this, Polk was President of Global Foods, Home, and Personal Care at Unilever, where he was in charge of developing and marketing Unilever’s entire portfolio.

In March 2019, Newell Brands announced that Polk would retire at the end of the second quarter.

In June 2019, Chris Peterson, chief financial officer (CFO) was appointed as interim CEO.

In 2020, Polk returned to work as an Advisory Director of Berkshire Partners and the CEO of one of the Private Equity firm's portfolio companies, Implus LLC. Implus produces athletic, fitness, and outdoor accessories.