Up the ranks: Tapaswee Chandele named Global CPO at The Coca-Cola Company, succeeding Lisa Chang
Summary
The Coca-Cola Company has appointed Tapaswee Chandele as its new Global Chief People Officer, effective 1 May 2026. She succeeds Lisa Chang, who is stepping down after seven years in the role but will remain with the company as a senior adviser through the end of 2026.
Chandele currently serves as Senior Vice President and Executive Assistant to President and CFO John Murphy (since May 2025). From 2019 to 2025 she was Senior Vice President of Global Talent, Development and HR System Partnerships, leading worldwide talent strategy and serving on Chang’s leadership team. A Coca-Cola veteran, she joined in India in 2001 and has held HR roles across markets including Türkiye and South Africa before relocating to the US in 2017. She also sits on the board of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages and Agnes Scott College. In her new role she will report to CEO Henrique Braun.
Key Points
- Tapaswee Chandele becomes Global Chief People Officer at The Coca-Cola Company, effective 1 May 2026.
- She succeeds Lisa Chang, who will serve as a senior adviser through the end of 2026 after seven years as CPO.
- Chandele has been SVP & Executive Assistant to the President and CFO since May 2025 and was SVP of Global Talent, Development and HR System Partnerships (2019–2025).
- She joined Coca-Cola in 2001 in India and has held HR and talent roles across multiple markets, including Türkiye and South Africa, before moving to the US in 2017.
- Chandele holds board roles at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages and Agnes Scott College, signalling strong governance and external engagement experience.
- She will report directly to CEO Henrique Braun, underscoring the strategic importance of the people function at Coca-Cola.
Context and relevance
This appointment matters for HR leaders and talent professionals because it highlights internal succession planning at a major global consumer brand. Coca-Cola promoting a long‑serving internal talent leader signals confidence in continuity of its people strategy and the value of global HR experience across diverse markets. It also reflects broader trends of grooming HR leaders from within to maintain culture and strategic consistency during leadership transitions.
Why should I read this?
Quick take: if you work in HR, talent or leadership, this is worth a skim. It’s a clear example of internal succession done right — someone who’s grown through the business gets the top people job. Saves you the time of digging through press releases; know who’s running people strategy at Coca‑Cola and why it matters for the market.