150 Years Strong: How Campbell’s Is Investing in Leadership to Drive Growth and Innovation

McKinsey & Company
McKinsey & CompanyApr 9, 2026

Why It Matters

A robust, scalable leadership pipeline fuels talent retention and innovation, giving Campbell a competitive edge as it navigates future consumer trends.

Key Takeaways

  • Leadership is learnable, not innate, per Campbell’s new philosophy.
  • Campbell partnered with McKinsey to design impact‑focused development program.
  • Cross‑functional advisory group turned skeptics into program advocates.
  • Over 1,200 employees trained, achieving 95 NPS and external accolades.
  • Program sparked internal demand, outpacing supply and fueling growth mindset.

Summary

Campbell Soup Co., celebrating 150 years, announced a strategic overhaul of its leadership pipeline, partnering with McKinsey & Company to embed a purpose‑built development program across the enterprise.

The initiative treats leadership as a skill set that can be taught, replacing the myth of innate leaders. McKinsey helped design a phased, impact‑oriented curriculum, while a cross‑functional advisory council ensured cultural fit and buy‑in. Metrics include 1,200 participants, 680 training hours, and a 95 Net Promoter Score.

Executives highlighted the shift from “training” to a “community of teachers,” noting that employees now ask, “When’s my turn?” The program earned external validation, landing Campbell on Time’s list of America’s best companies for future leaders.

By cultivating a growth mindset at every level, Campbell aims to sustain innovation, improve talent retention, and position itself for the next century of market relevance.

Original Description

Campbell’s ambition: grow leaders everywhere, from the frontline to the C-suite. With McKinsey, they built a leadership engine that fuels growth, innovation, and a company ready for the future. Discover more here: https://mck.co/41dOW7l
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