CHICAGO — Kraft Heinz has hired Hyatt Hotels’ Kathy Krenger to serve as its next chief communications officer.

Krenger, who currently heads Hyatt’s global comms, will join Kraft Heinz on July 21, and report to CEO Miguel Patricio. She will be replacing head of global communications and corporate affairs Michael Mullen, who will be retiring in August after 23 years with the company.

Krenger brings to the role more than 25 years of corporate and agency experience, which includes spending the last four years with Hyatt. At Hyatt, she led corporate, internal, brand and field communications for the company and more than 1,000 hotels worldwide.

Before that, Krenger served as general manager at two Edelman specialty agencies — Edible, which focuses on food and beverage clients, and Krispr, which handled PR for Kellogg's before the account moved to Weber Shandwick in 2019.

“I am excited to welcome Kathy Krenger to the Kraft Heinz team,” Patricio said. “She’s an award-winning communicator and storyteller who brings a wealth of experience to the Kraft Heinz table. Kathy is a strategic thinker who is joining us with decades of expertise across a wide range of industries — including the CPG, retail and food and beverage space.”

“I want to personally thank Michael for the many significant contributions he made to Kraft Heinz — both before and during my tenure as CEO,” he said. “He has been an invaluable partner to me and the rest of my senior Leadership Team. Michael is a respected and tireless leader who always put the Company first. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement and much happiness as he steps into this next stage of his life.”