New York Life Insurance Company announced the appointment of Michele Buck as Lead Director of New York Life’s Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2018. Ms. Buck is the president and chief executive officer of The Hershey Company, one of America’s most iconic brands. She has served on New York Life’s Board since 2013, and recently chaired the Insurance & Operations Committee. She has served on Hershey’s Board since 2017.
“Michele Buck is a deeply experienced corporate leader who provides valuable strategic guidance to the Board and New York Life,” said Ted Mathas, chairman and chief executive officer of New York Life. “She will bring her strong business acumen to the Lead Director position as the Board continues to focus on delivering financial security and peace of mind for New York Life’s current and future policy owners.”
Prior to her current position at Hershey, Ms. Buck held several senior leadership roles within the company. Most recently, she served as Chief Operating Officer, leading Hershey’s day-to-day North American operations and overseeing Hershey’s operations in Central and South America. Before joining Hershey in 2005, Ms. Buck served 17 years at Kraft/Nabisco and at the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo in various senior roles.
Ms. Buck is ranked as one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women and serves as the Benefit Co-Chair of the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Shippensburg University.