Chris RoweGlobal Vice President of Research & Development Mars Snacking, Mars Inc.
About
Chris is the Global Vice President of Research & Development for the Mars Snacking segment of Mars Inc. He is responsible for over 1600 R&D associates across 60 countries, and his scope of accountability spans programs encompassing multiple horizons of innovation and science & technology. He has extensive experience in Research & Development for major global food companies including Quaker Oats, PepsiCo, Wrigley and Mars. He's had the privilege of working on some of the world's most favorite brands including Gatorade, Extra Gum, M&M's and Skittles. Chris was appointed to his current role following eight years living and working in Russia, Germany and the UK.
Chris has a passion for all things innovation, with a specific focus on consumer experience and design. He has worked on or led teams delivering hundreds of innovation projects during his career and pioneered many category-first innovation offerings and approaches. He created the first global Experience Design Team in Wrigley and built design centers in Chicago and London.
Inside and outside of work Chris has a strong passion for coaching and developing people. He has coached dozens of youth sports teams and ran youth sports leagues with his wife Carol in Russia, UK and US. He has developed numerous employees throughout his career who have gone on to do great things in the world of innovation.
Chris and his wife Carol have three daughters, one son, a cat and a dog.