Kroger Appoints Emilee De Martino as New Chief People Officer
In a significant leadership shift, The Kroger Co. has announced the appointment of Emilee De Martino as its new Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer. This announcement came on July 2, 2026, when Kroger revealed that De Martino will take over the role from Tim Massa, who is set to retire on September 18, 2026. With her extensive experience and proven track record, De Martino is expected to usher in a new era of development and engagement within the company.
Emilee De Martino joins Kroger from her previous position at McDonald's Corporation, where she served as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer for International Operated Markets. In that pivotal role, she was responsible for leading the human resources strategy across 19 countries, managing a workforce exceeding 750,000 employees. Her efforts focused on enhancing employee experience, driving growth, and facilitating transformation initiatives.
During her eight-year tenure at McDonald's, De Martino made impressive strides that reshaped the company’s approach to personnel management. She was instrumental in establishing the company's People Brand Standards and Values, which were rolled out across global operations. Her dedication to fostering a people-centric culture was notable and contributed significantly to improved employee retention rates within the International Operated Markets—underscoring the effectiveness of her leadership.
Greg Foran, the CEO of Kroger, praised De Martino’s capabilities, emphasizing her experience with leading transformation in one of the world’s largest workforces. Foran expressed confidence that De Martino's commitment to talent development would align perfectly with Kroger's goals as it enters this next chapter. Her wealth of experience is anticipated to help steer Kroger's people strategy and reinforce its standing as an employer of choice in the industry.
Prior to her role at McDonald's, De Martino held the position of Vice President of Change and Culture at CNA Financial Corporation. Here, she was pivotal in driving organizational transformation initiatives which included system modernization and redesign processes throughout the company. She has also lent her expertise to various global organizations as a consultant at Accenture and Mercer, focusing on human capital strategy and large-scale transformations.
De Martino expressed her excitement about joining Kroger, stating, “Kroger is one of the most respected companies in America, with a long-standing commitment to its associates and the communities it serves.” She further emphasized her eagerness to collaborate with associates across the business and to prioritize people in the organization’s overall strategy.
Her academic credentials bolster her professional experience: De Martino holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration Management from Fort Hays State University and an MBA from Kansas State University. Additionally, she has completed an executive program in Creating and Executing Breakthrough Strategies at Columbia University.
As Kroger continues to lead in the retail space, the appointment of Emilee De Martino is viewed as a strategic move that is expected to enhance the company’s focus on its workforce while navigating the complexities of the market. With over 400,000 associates, Kroger serves more than 11 million customers daily, and the company’s commitment to merging organizational strategies with employee welfare is seen to be a key element in its ongoing success and preeminence in the retail sector.
Emilee De Martino joins Kroger from her previous position at McDonald's Corporation, where she served as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer for International Operated Markets. In that pivotal role, she was responsible for leading the human resources strategy across 19 countries, managing a workforce exceeding 750,000 employees. Her efforts focused on enhancing employee experience, driving growth, and facilitating transformation initiatives.
During her eight-year tenure at McDonald's, De Martino made impressive strides that reshaped the company’s approach to personnel management. She was instrumental in establishing the company's People Brand Standards and Values, which were rolled out across global operations. Her dedication to fostering a people-centric culture was notable and contributed significantly to improved employee retention rates within the International Operated Markets—underscoring the effectiveness of her leadership.
Greg Foran, the CEO of Kroger, praised De Martino’s capabilities, emphasizing her experience with leading transformation in one of the world’s largest workforces. Foran expressed confidence that De Martino's commitment to talent development would align perfectly with Kroger's goals as it enters this next chapter. Her wealth of experience is anticipated to help steer Kroger's people strategy and reinforce its standing as an employer of choice in the industry.
Prior to her role at McDonald's, De Martino held the position of Vice President of Change and Culture at CNA Financial Corporation. Here, she was pivotal in driving organizational transformation initiatives which included system modernization and redesign processes throughout the company. She has also lent her expertise to various global organizations as a consultant at Accenture and Mercer, focusing on human capital strategy and large-scale transformations.
De Martino expressed her excitement about joining Kroger, stating, “Kroger is one of the most respected companies in America, with a long-standing commitment to its associates and the communities it serves.” She further emphasized her eagerness to collaborate with associates across the business and to prioritize people in the organization’s overall strategy.
Her academic credentials bolster her professional experience: De Martino holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration Management from Fort Hays State University and an MBA from Kansas State University. Additionally, she has completed an executive program in Creating and Executing Breakthrough Strategies at Columbia University.
As Kroger continues to lead in the retail space, the appointment of Emilee De Martino is viewed as a strategic move that is expected to enhance the company’s focus on its workforce while navigating the complexities of the market. With over 400,000 associates, Kroger serves more than 11 million customers daily, and the company’s commitment to merging organizational strategies with employee welfare is seen to be a key element in its ongoing success and preeminence in the retail sector.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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