Michael B Polk

Michael Polk is Chief Executive Officer of Newell Brands, one of the leading consumer goods companies in the world with over $16 billion in sales. In 2016, Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden Corporation combined to form Newell Brands. Mike joined Newell Rubbermaid as President and Chief Executive Officer in July 2011 and transformed the company into a bigger, faster growing, more global and more profitable enterprise. A global marketer, innovator and leader with a proven record of growing brands, driving change and delivering superior financial performance, he has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2009. Previously, Mike was President of Global Foods, Home and Personal Care at Unilever, where he was responsible for the development, innovation and marketing of Unilever's entire 64 billion dollar portfolio of categories and brands. During eight years at Unilever, he is credited with transforming the company’s business in the Americas, sharpening Unilever’s global portfolio strategy, and creating a more competitive, faster-growing, innovation-driven organization. He was a member of the Unilever Executive Board from 2007-2011. Earlier, Mike spent 16 years at Kraft Foods serving as President, Asia Pacific Region, Kraft Foods International and President, Nabisco Biscuit & Snacks, Kraft Foods North America. In both positions, he served on Kraft’s Management Committee. Prior to Kraft, Mike spent three years at Procter & Gamble working in manufacturing and research & development in the Paper Products Division. He has a Bachelor of Science degree​ in operations research and industrial engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Mike is a member of the Board of Directors of Colgate Palmolive Company and the Board of Trustees of Morehouse College.​​