Abigail Buckwalter will assume the role of chief executive officer at Ocean Spray Cranberries, starting Monday, succeeding Tom Hayes, who retired in March after five years leading the company. Buckwalter brings 16 years of experience from Nestlé’s nutritional supplement and pharmaceutical divisions, most recently serving as the U.S. CEO of Nestlé Health Science.

Ocean Spray, headquartered in Lakeville, Massachusetts, is a cooperative owned by approximately 700 growers across North America and Chile. The company employs around 2,000 people, with nearly a quarter based in Massachusetts—including staff at the Lakeville headquarters, regional cranberry-growing facilities, and a 40-person office in Boston’s Seaport district. The cooperative generates about $2 billion in annual revenue, primarily from juices and other fruit-based beverages.

Buckwalter’s appointment marks a return to her agricultural roots. Raised in Iowa, she spent summers detasseling corn before embarking on a career in consumer packaged goods. She expressed a commitment to supporting the cooperative’s growers amid inflationary and real estate challenges that have affected many farmers. Buckwalter emphasized the importance of engaging directly with employees and growers to sustain their prosperity across generations.

“I feel the weight of responsibility to our board and to our growers,” she said. “We have to find ways to... make sure their prosperity continues, generation after generation.”

Prior to joining Ocean Spray, Buckwalter held various leadership roles within Nestlé, including assignments in Switzerland and Australia, before returning to the U.S. in 2021. She led a portfolio of brands ranging from emerging products to well-established blockbusters, overseeing about 6,000 employees during her tenure as U.S. CEO at Nestlé Health Science.

Buckwalter views her transition to Ocean Spray as an opportunity to apply her extensive experience in consumer goods to a cooperative model. “It’s an amazing opportunity,” she said, noting her intent to honor the company’s century-long history while driving innovation to keep the brand relevant.

In addition to her professional focus, Buckwalter mentioned her enthusiasm about relocating to the Boston area with her three children, citing the region’s strong educational reputation and inclusive environment. She described Boston as a “world-class city” that remains “approachable and inviting.”

As Ocean Spray begins a new chapter under Buckwalter’s leadership, the cooperative seeks to balance tradition with growth amid evolving industry and economic conditions.