About
Heather Larson is a senior executive with a reputation for repeatedly leading supply chain and business transformations that yield superior performance, unlocking top and bottom-line growth. With 32 years of combined Supply Chain and global R&D leadership expertise at General Mills, a $17B global food company, Ms. Larson sets herself apart as a future-focused thought leader of business and operational strategies and their successful commercialization.
Heather most recently served as Vice President of North America Logistics, where she led a 300-person team and a $1.2B budget, serving all North American business units which deliver 70% of company sales, and 85% of profits. As a member of both the North America Supply Chain and Sales leadership teams, she led a successful Supply Chain transformation that achieved record customer service reliability at 8% lower costs, positioning General Mills U.S. Retail businesses for accelerated growth.
Ms. Larson has expertise in leading transformations both cross-functionally and globally. Heather led the Go-to-Market Enterprise Business Transformation, architecting improved commercialization across functions with a 25% reduction of time to market. Additionally, Ms. Larson has a decade of global R&D leadership experience, serving as Vice-President, Global Operations & Shared Services. She gained a global perspective building a successful India ‘follow-the-sun’ strategy, driving speed and capacity for regional R&D centers, while also overseeing capital planning and operational strategies for worldwide pilot plants and technical capabilities. She had P&L responsibility for Medallion Laboratories, an external product testing business; Revenues grew by 4X.
Heather provides expertise in building and coaching highly engaged organizations that stretch to achieve bold strategies and breakthrough results. She is a visible servant-leader and developer of talent. She leads with a growth mindset, trusted collaboration, and accountability. She has a passion for building inclusive work cultures that allow all employees to contribute their best to continuously improve outcomes.
Heather serves the Carlson School’s Supply Chain & Operations Department as an Adjunct Instructor and is excited to develop the next generation of Supply Chain leaders. Ms. Larson is also Vice-Chair of the Minneapolis and St. Paul Board of Trustees for Jeremiah Program, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating generational poverty through the support of college-bound single mothers and their children. Ms. Larson also co-chaired the Supply Chain Industry Advisory Board at the University of Minnesota, receiving the Alumni Service Award for contributions to advancing the undergraduate and Masters of Supply Chain curriculum and student development.