Lesley Salmon

, Kellanova

In October 2023, Kellogg separated into two public companies – Kellanova, a global snacking company, and W.K. Kellogg, a North American cereal business. The company employed 31,000 people globally – and the myriad of systems that make it tick called for strategy and intention from an IT perspective. It required navigating systems and creating platforms to scale two new companies. Lesley and her team served as the engine that balanced the needs of the Spin alongside the demands of the company’s IT change portfolio.

Having the proper structure in place for the Spin was critical:

  • When appointed Global CIO in 2019, she created a “One Team” mantra, ensuring her global IT team of 400+ was operating from the same roadmap. She consolidated vendors and partners, saving $12M annually, created a set of guiding principles for her team, and rallied them around the company’s Vision and Purpose – creating better days and a place at the table for everyone.
  • A Cloud-First Strategy resulted in a seamless transition to migrate all appropriate workloads to the cloud. By leveraging the scalability, agility, and cost-effectiveness of cloud computing, she eliminated the need for traditional data centers. It allowed IT to operate more efficiently, focus on digital enablement, and ultimately redirect IT employees towards value-driven initiatives.
  • The team updated 300+ systems for the Spin, executed 4300+ test scripts, migrated 1600 transports, created 7800+ users, and deployed 1700 desktops and laptops! As a result, production continued, orders went out, and consumers continued to have their much-loved brands delivered to them without any system disruption.
  • Lesley’s leadership approach revolves around “doing the right thing for people.” In 2020, she launched YODA (year of development always), which takes an individual approach to each employee. She instills that she and her team ask what motivates that person, then work to decipher how to retain them. YODA has several tracks for up-skilling, career strategies, and virtual programs built around the topics that matter most to employees. It’s had great success, with over 75% of IT colleagues participating.
  • Her IT team has created a digitally fit workforce through an enterprise-wide global learning program, Work Smart, which enables colleagues with modern workplace solutions. She’s leading Kellanova’s AI journey, educating its promise across Kellanova, and recently launched “Kuriosity Clinics,” giving employees – regardless of title or function – the opportunity to explore Gen AI with Microsoft Copilot. There’s been an exceptional response – nearly 6,000 people have attended the optional clinics, with lively interaction and many creative ideas. You never know; our next new snack may originate from AI!
Throughout her career, she’s been a true advocate for the advancement of women in business, a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, and a champion of diversity, serving as the Exec Sponsor for the K Pride & Allies ERG. Additionally, growing up in a working-class family, as the daughter of a milkman, she strives to break down socio-economic boundaries. One part of this is considering all experience levels, regardless of their educational achievements.