Hershey CFO appointment: overview
- Hershey appoints Dave Hulays CFO after nearly fifteen years internally
- Hulays succeeds Steve Voskuil, who is set to retire in 2027
- Appointment supports Hershey’s confectionery and snacking growth strategy
- Company expands across sweet, salty and functional snacking categories
- New CFO faces cocoa volatility, inflation and consumer pressures
The Hershey Company has announced the appointment of Dave Hulays as chief financial officer (CFO), with immediate effect.
Hulays has worked within the multinational for nearly 15 years, most recently serving as senior vice president of finance.
Prior to his time at Hershey, he held senior financial roles at one of the world’s biggest CPGs, Procter & Gamble.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Business Administration from York University’s Schulich School of Business in Toronto.
“Dave is a proven, enterprise-minded finance leader who has helped shape nearly every corner of this business, from our commercial and supply chain organisations to our growth agenda,” says CEO Kirk Tanner. “He leads with rigor, accountability and courage. I’m confident he’s the right person to lead our finance organisation into its next chapter.”
Hershey’s strategy
Hulays takes on the role as Hershey moves to accelerate its strategy to become a broader confectionery and snacking brand.
The company’s outlined plans to drive growth across sweet, salty and functional snacking categories through its ‘One Hershey’ model, while increasing investment in innovation, supply chain modernisation and AI-enabled capabilities.
“I’m proud and honoured to serve as Hershey’s next chief financial officer,” says Hulays.
He succeeds Steve Voskuil, who has announced plans to retire after holding the position since 2019.
“Working alongside Steve over the years has been a privilege, and his mentorship has played an important role in preparing for this transition,” says Hulays. “Together, we’ve built a strong foundation, and I’m looking forward to driving our next generation of growth.”
Voskuil will move into the role of SVP of strategic projects, focused on initiatives for the CEO and Board while he oversees the transition to Hulays, before departing in early 2027.
“I want to thank Steve for his leadership over the past seven years,” says CEO Tanner. “He has been an incredible partner to me and to this company, and his continued partnership will support some of our most important priorities as we move through this transition.”
Continuity through change
The appointment provides continuity for the maker of majors including Reese’s Pieces and Twizzlers, as it enters a period of transformation.
The American multinational is reshaping its business, with a greater focus on portfolio diversification, operational excellence and growth across multiple snacking categories.
At the same time, it’s investing in innovation, digital capabilities and supply chain improvements to help navigate ongoing market volatility and evolving consumer preferences.
Having held leadership roles across the business, Hulays has played a key role in shaping and executing the company’s long-term growth strategy, including efforts to broaden its portfolio beyond traditional confectionery. That experience leaves him well placed to hit the ground running as Hershey pursues its next phase of growth.
Though his appointment comes at a challenging time for the global confectionery sector.
Manufacturers continue to contend with volatile cocoa markets, persistent inflationary pressures and shifting consumer spending habits, while finance leaders are increasingly required to balance cost discipline and margin recovery with investment in innovation, productivity and growth.
With the business targeting categories beyond its traditional chocolate roots, Hulays will play a central role in helping deliver Hershey’s growth ambitions and broader snacking expansion strategy.
