As President, Kraft Foods North America Beverages, Deanie Elsner has oversight for manufacturing, marketing and sales of iconic brands like Maxwell House coffee – one of Kraft Foods’ “billion-dollar brands” – and Kool-Aid beverages. 

Other well-known names within her portfolio are Capri Sun, Country Time, Crystal Light and Tang beverages, Gevalia coffee, and the company’s single-serve beverage system, Tassimo. She has been in this position since May, 2010.

Previously, Deanie had managed Kraft Foods’ European coffee business.  In that role, she was instrumental in turning around our coffee business in Europe and in establishing a clear roadmap to success for this category.

Deanie joined Kraft Foods in 1992 as an Assistant Brand Manager for the Viscous Category in Glenview, Illinois. She held a variety of marketing management positions in Grocery and Kraft Foods’ former pizza business before being named Category Business Director, Boca Foods Business.  In that role, Deanie managed the integration of recently acquired Boca Foods into the Oscar Mayer Division in 2001.  Two years later, Elsner was appointed Category Business Director for Lunchables lunch combinations and was recognized for turning the Lunchables business around. 

Prior to joining Kraft Foods, Deanie worked in Sales for Procter and Gamble and Johnson & Johnson.  She received a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Studies from the University of Arizona and a MBA in Marketing and Finance from the University of Chicago.