Coca-Cola Appoints New Global Chief People Officer

Tapaswee Chandele to succeed Lisa Chang as the company's top HR executive.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a stack of business documents, a pen, and a glass of water on a clean white background, conceptually representing corporate leadership changes.The transition of Coca-Cola's global chief people officer role signals the company's focus on internal talent development and strategic HR leadership.Decatur Today

The Coca-Cola Company has announced that Tapaswee Chandele will become the company's new global chief people officer, replacing Lisa Chang who is stepping down after a seven-year tenure. Chandele currently serves as senior vice president and executive assistant to the president and CFO, and has held various HR and talent development roles at Coca-Cola since joining the company in 2001.

Why it matters

The chief people officer is a critical role responsible for overseeing the company's global talent strategy and human resources operations. Chandele's appointment comes as Coca-Cola continues to transform its business and navigate evolving workforce dynamics in the post-pandemic era.

The details

Chandele will assume the global chief people officer role on May 1, succeeding Lisa Chang who will step down at the end of 2026 to serve as a senior advisor and on the board of The Coca-Cola Foundation. Chandele has held various HR and talent development roles at Coca-Cola since joining the company in India in 2001, including serving as senior vice president of global talent, development and HR system partnerships from 2019 to 2025.

  • Tapaswee Chandele will become global chief people officer on May 1, 2026.
  • Lisa Chang will step down from the chief people officer role at the end of 2026.

The players

Tapaswee Chandele

Chandele is the incoming global chief people officer at The Coca-Cola Company, succeeding Lisa Chang. She has held various HR and talent development roles at Coca-Cola since joining the company in 2001.

Lisa Chang

Chang is the outgoing global chief people officer at The Coca-Cola Company, stepping down after a seven-year tenure. She will stay on as a senior advisor and serve on the board of The Coca-Cola Foundation.

John Murphy

Murphy is the president and chief financial officer of The Coca-Cola Company, to whom Chandele has reported in her current role as senior vice president and executive assistant.

Henrique Braun

Braun is the CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, to whom Chandele will report in her new role as global chief people officer.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Chandele will assume the global chief people officer role on May 1, 2026, while Chang will remain with the company as a senior advisor through the end of the year.

The takeaway

Chandele's appointment as Coca-Cola's new global chief people officer reflects the company's commitment to developing internal talent and promoting from within to navigate the evolving workforce landscape. Her deep experience in HR and talent management will be crucial as Coca-Cola continues to transform its business.