In a corporate world often defined by fast-moving careers and short tenures, Henrique Braun’s journey at The Coca-Cola Company stands as a refreshing testament to the power of perseverance, purpose, and professional growth. From joining as a trainee in Global Engineering nearly 30 years ago to being appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the next CEO of Coca-Cola, Braun’s ascent represents a rare and inspiring story of homegrown leadership in one of the world’s most recognized companies.
A Journey Built on Curiosity and Commitment
Henrique Braun’s story with Coca-Cola began in 1996, a time when the beverage giant was expanding its footprint into new global markets. Starting as a trainee, Braun immersed himself in understanding the company’s vast operational ecosystem—from engineering to manufacturing and from supply chain management to marketing. Over the next three decades, his journey would become a blueprint for long-term leadership in a multinational organization.
Driven by an innate curiosity and a hands-on leadership approach, Braun steadily rose through the ranks, taking on increasingly complex assignments across continents. His early roles spanned North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, giving him deep exposure to diverse markets and business challenges. These experiences shaped his leadership philosophy—one that blends operational excellence with cultural intelligence.
From Regional Leadership to Global Influence
Throughout his career, Braun demonstrated an ability to navigate change and lead through transformation. Between 2013 and 2016, he served as President for Greater China and South Korea, where he led Coca-Cola through a period of significant consumer and market evolution. His focus on digital innovation and adapting to local tastes helped strengthen the company’s regional position.
From 2016 to 2020, Braun returned to his roots to lead Coca-Cola Brazil, steering the business through one of the company’s most competitive markets. Under his leadership, Coca-Cola introduced new beverage innovations and strengthened its sustainability initiatives. In 2020, he was promoted to President of Coca-Cola Latin America, overseeing operations across a region that remains critical to the company’s global growth strategy.
By 2022, Braun’s leadership had reached a global level. As President of International Development, he managed growth strategies across key emerging and developed markets. His leadership focus on agility, innovation, and local market relevance helped Coca-Cola maintain strong performance during a time of global economic and digital transformation.
The Next Chapter: From COO to CEO
In January 2025, Braun took on one of Coca-Cola’s most significant leadership roles—Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO)—overseeing all operating units worldwide. The move underscored the company’s confidence in his leadership and strategic vision.
Just a year later, Coca-Cola announced that Henrique Braun will become CEO effective March 31, 2026, succeeding James Quincey, who will transition to Executive Chairman after an impactful nine-year tenure as CEO.
Quincey, who led Coca-Cola through a transformative era—including digital modernization, portfolio diversification, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic—leaves behind a strong foundation for Braun to build upon. Under Quincey’s leadership, Coca-Cola added more than ten billion-dollar brands and evolved into a total beverage company, expanding beyond soft drinks to include water, coffee, tea, juices, and plant-based beverages.
As CEO, Braun is expected to drive Coca-Cola’s next era of operational excellence, focusing on technology-driven efficiency, sustainability, and deep consumer engagement. His priorities will include strengthening the company’s presence in high-growth markets, leveraging data and digital platforms, and nurturing innovation across Coca-Cola’s 200+ country operations.
A Testament to Growth, Grit, and Global Vision
For many professionals and aspiring leaders, Henrique Braun’s journey resonates on a deeply human level. His career highlights how patience, adaptability, and a lifelong commitment to learning can propel one from an entry-level position to the highest office within a global organization.
Reflecting on his new role, Braun shared, “I’m honored to take on this new responsibility and deeply appreciative of everything James has done to lead the company. I’ll focus on continuing the momentum we’ve built with our system and unlocking future growth in partnership with our bottlers. I see huge opportunities in a fast-changing global market.”
Continuity in Leadership and Vision
Coca-Cola’s lead independent director, David Weinberg, described the leadership transition as seamless and forward-looking. “James Quincey is a transformative leader who reshaped Coca-Cola into a global powerhouse. We are confident Henrique Braun will build on this strong foundation to unlock new opportunities and strengthen the company’s global system,” Weinberg said.
This transition marks not only a new leadership era for Coca-Cola but also reaffirms the company’s dedication to developing leaders from within—a hallmark of its enduring corporate culture.
A Role Model for Global Leaders
Henrique Braun’s career, stretching from a trainee’s desk to the executive suite, is more than a corporate success story—it’s a human story about growth, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence. It’s a reminder that great leadership isn’t built overnight; it’s shaped through years of learning, leading, and adapting to change.
As Braun prepares to lead Coca-Cola into its next century, his story stands as an inspiring example of how vision, humility, and global perspective can turn a career into a legacy—one that continues to refresh the world and make a difference.
