Ocean Spray names Abigail Buckwalter President and Chief Executive Officer

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., the agricultural cooperative owned by roughly 700 family farmers, announced the appointment of Abigail Buckwalter as President and Chief Executive Officer. Buckwalter brings 20 years of global leadership experience across consumer-packaged goods and healthcare. She comes to Ocean Spray from Nestlé Health Science U.S., where she led the organisation of more than 6,000 people for the past three years as CEO. During that time, she managed a complex and diverse multi-billion-dollar portfolio of global consumer and healthcare brands.

A leader at Nestlé Health Science since its inception 15 years ago, Buckwalter was instrumental in shaping the organisation’s direction and impact. In roles across Europe, Oceania, and North America, she cultivated a deep understanding of diverse business environments, along with a resilient, execution-focused mindset. She has led strategic portfolio reviews, guided successful business turnarounds, enhanced operational efficiencies, and accelerated innovation pipelines that have driven market share gains and profitable growth.

Buckwalter is a dedicated mother of three, a travel and adventure enthusiast, and a lifelong learner. Prior to joining Nestlé, she built foundational expertise across the consumer-packaged goods, healthcare, non-profit, and food service sectors.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from Columbia University in New York. Buckwalter is the recipient of the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s 2026 Distinguished Service Award.