Dirk Van de Put is the Chairman & CEO of Mondelez International (NASDAQ: MDLZ), the global snacking powerhouse behind iconic brands like Oreo, Cadbury, Toblerone, and Ritz. Van de Put has led Mondelez since November 2017 and assumed the additional role of Chairman in April 2018. A Belgian native with a veterinary medicine degree from Ghent University and an MBA from the University of Antwerp, he speaks five languages and has held senior leadership roles at Mars, Coca-Cola, Danone, Novartis, and McCain Foods across four continents. Under his leadership, Mondelez has grown from $26 billion to over $38 billion in annual revenue, delivering strong total shareholder returns and solidifying its position as one of the world’s leading snack companies.
Read on to discover Mondelez CEO email address, Dirk Van de Put net worth in 2026, salary and compensation, career history, wife & family, and more.
Quick Facts
| Dirk Van de Put — At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dirk Van de Put |
| Date of Birth | May 14, 1960 |
| Age | 65 years old |
| Birthplace | Mechelen, Antwerp Province, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian-American (dual citizenship) |
| Position | Chairman & CEO, Mondelez International (NASDAQ: MDLZ) |
| CEO Since | November 2017 |
| Chairman Since | April 2018 |
| Education | Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University; MBA, University of Antwerp |
| Languages | Dutch, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese |
| Net Worth (Est.) | ~$78–$122 million |
| 2024 Total Compensation | $22.3 million |
| Email (Corporate) | [email protected] |
| Headquarters | 905 W Fulton Market, Chicago, Illinois |
| Wife | Caroline Van de Put |
| Children | 2 (Max and Zane) |
Early Life & Education
Dirk Van de Put was born on May 14, 1960, in Mechelen, a historic city in the Antwerp Province of Belgium. He was raised in a modest household by his mother, a nurse, and his father, a court reporter. Growing up in Flanders, Van de Put developed an early interest in the sciences, which would shape his unconventional path to the corporate world.
Van de Put earned a degree in Veterinary Medicine from Ghent University, one of Belgium’s most prestigious research universities. While he never practiced as a veterinarian, the rigorous scientific training instilled in him an analytical mindset and disciplined approach to problem-solving that would become hallmarks of his leadership style. He later earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Antwerp, bridging his scientific background with the commercial acumen needed for a career in consumer goods.
Van de Put’s unusual combination of veterinary science and business education makes him one of very few Fortune 500 CEOs to hold a degree in veterinary medicine. He has spoken publicly about how his scientific training gives him a unique, data-driven perspective on brand management and consumer behavior that has served him well throughout his career in the food and beverage industry.
Career History
Dirk Van de Put’s career spans more than three decades in the global consumer goods industry, with senior leadership positions across multiple continents and some of the world’s best-known food and beverage companies.
Early Career at Mars Inc.
Van de Put began his career in the consumer packaged goods industry at Mars Inc., where he spent approximately 15 years in various sales and marketing roles across Europe and Latin America. At Mars, he developed deep expertise in brand building, distribution, and emerging-market consumer dynamics — foundational skills that would define his entire career trajectory.
Coca-Cola and Danone
After his tenure at Mars, Van de Put served as President of Coca-Cola Caribbean, overseeing operations across the Caribbean region. He then moved to Groupe Danone, where he served as President of the Americas Division, managing the French dairy giant’s portfolio across North and South America. These roles gave him extensive experience in managing complex, multi-market operations.
Novartis and McCain Foods
Van de Put briefly served as President of the Global OTC Division at Novartis, overseeing the pharmaceutical company’s over-the-counter consumer health products worldwide. In 2010, he joined McCain Foods in Canada, first as Chief Operating Officer and then as CEO from 2011 to 2017. At McCain Foods, the world’s largest producer of frozen potato products, he led a major transformation that improved operational efficiency, expanded into new markets, and significantly grew the company’s revenues.
Career Timeline
| Period | Role | Company |
|---|---|---|
| ~1985–2000 | Various sales/marketing leadership roles | Mars Inc. |
| ~1993–2000 | President, Caribbean Region | Coca-Cola |
| ~2000–2009 | President, Americas Division | Groupe Danone |
| ~2009–2010 | President, Global OTC Division | Novartis |
| 2010–2011 | Chief Operating Officer | McCain Foods |
| 2011–2017 | Chief Executive Officer | McCain Foods |
| Nov 2017–present | CEO (Chairman from Apr 2018) | Mondelez International |
CEO of Mondelez International
Dirk Van de Put was appointed CEO of Mondelez International in November 2017, succeeding Irene Rosenfeld, who had led the company since its 2012 spin-off from Kraft Foods. In April 2018, he also assumed the role of Chairman of the Board, giving him full strategic oversight of the company.
Upon taking the helm, Van de Put immediately set about transforming Mondelez from a traditional packaged food conglomerate into a focused, agile snacking company. He introduced a new long-term growth strategy centered on three pillars: accelerating consumer-centric growth, driving operational excellence, and building a winning growth culture.
Strategic Vision and Growth
Under Van de Put’s leadership, Mondelez has delivered consistent organic revenue growth and strong shareholder returns. The company’s annual revenue has grown from approximately $26 billion when he took over to $38.5 billion in FY2025. Key strategic initiatives during his tenure include:
- Focused Snacking Strategy: Narrowed the company’s focus on high-growth snacking categories including chocolate, biscuits, baked snacks, and candy & gum
- Strategic Acquisitions: Acquired Clif Bar & Company, Chipita, Ricolino, and Tate’s Bake Shop, expanding the portfolio into adjacent snacking segments
- Digital Transformation: Invested heavily in e-commerce, data analytics, and direct-to-consumer capabilities
- Sustainability Commitment: Launched the Cocoa Life sustainability program and committed to reducing carbon emissions across the supply chain
- Emerging Market Expansion: Strengthened Mondelez’s position in high-growth markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America
Leadership & Achievements
Dirk Van de Put is widely recognized as one of the most effective leaders in the global consumer goods industry. His leadership style combines analytical rigor with a deep understanding of consumer behavior and brand building. Key achievements and recognitions include:
- Revenue Growth: Grew Mondelez from ~$26B to $38.5B in annual revenue during his tenure
- Portfolio of Power Brands: Built 10+ brands each generating over $1 billion in annual revenue, including Oreo, Cadbury, Milka, and Ritz
- Board Membership: Serves on the Board of Directors of AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer
- Say-on-Pay Approval: Received approximately 94% shareholder approval on executive compensation in 2024
- Industry Recognition: Recognized as a leading global CEO in the food and beverage industry
- Cultural Leadership: Known for fostering a performance-driven, inclusive culture at Mondelez with a focus on local-first decision making
Key Insight: Van de Put is one of the very few Fortune 500 CEOs with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. He has said his scientific training gives him an analytical approach to brand building that has served him across Mars, Coca-Cola, Danone, and Mondelez.
Personal Life
Dirk Van de Put is married to Caroline (married approximately 1992). Together they have two sons, Max and Zane. Zane publicly congratulated his father on the Mondelez CEO appointment when it was announced in 2017.
Van de Put holds dual Belgian-American citizenship and has lived and worked across Europe, Latin America, North America, and Asia throughout his career. He is fluent in five languages: Dutch, English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese — a reflection of his truly global career and multicultural background.
The family has maintained residences in both Coral Gables, Florida and Toronto, Ontario, reflecting Van de Put’s international lifestyle. He grew up in Mechelen, Belgium, a medieval city between Brussels and Antwerp, and maintains strong ties to his Belgian roots despite spending most of his professional career abroad.
Van de Put is known for his down-to-earth demeanor and accessibility despite leading one of the world’s largest food companies. He is an avid reader and has spoken about the influence of his modest upbringing on his management philosophy, emphasizing humility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from every culture and market he has worked in.
Dirk Van de Put Net Worth & Salary
As of 2026, Dirk Van de Put’s estimated net worth is approximately $78–$122 million, based on his disclosed holdings across Mondelez International, as well as board positions at AB InBev and past holdings at other companies. Estimates vary by source depending on the valuation methodology and timing of calculations.
CEO Compensation Breakdown (FY2024)
Dirk Van de Put earned a total of $22,304,723 in compensation for fiscal year 2024, as disclosed in Mondelez International’s SEC proxy filing. The breakdown is as follows:
| Component | Amount (USD) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $1,550,000 | 6.9% |
| Annual Bonus | $2,480,000 | 11.1% |
| Stock Options | $4,382,062 | 19.6% |
| Performance Stock Awards | $12,931,115 | 58.0% |
| Other Compensation | $961,546 | 4.3% |
| TOTAL | $22,304,723 | 100% |
Key Insight: Over 93% of Dirk Van de Put’s total compensation is performance-based (bonus, stock options, and performance stock awards), with only 6.9% coming from base salary. This structure aligns his pay directly with Mondelez’s financial performance and shareholder returns.
Mondelez International Financial Summary
| Metric | FY2025 | FY2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $38.5B | $36.4B | ▲ +5.8% |
| Organic Net Revenue Growth | 4.3% | ~4% | ▲ Stable |
| Gross Profit | $10.9B | $14.3B | ▼ -23% |
| Gross Margin | 28.4% | 39.1% | ▼ -1,070 bps |
| Brands Over $1B Revenue | 10+ | 10+ | — |
| NASDAQ Ticker | MDLZ | — | |
Note: The significant decline in gross margin in FY2025 was primarily driven by unprecedented cocoa cost headwinds and unfavorable mark-to-market impacts, affecting the broader chocolate and confectionery industry. Mondelez’s underlying organic growth remained solid at 4.3%, driven by higher net pricing.
How to Contact Dirk Van de Put
Below are the official contact details for Mondelez International CEO Dirk Van de Put:
| Contact Information | |
|---|---|
| Corporate Email | [email protected] |
| Email Format | [email protected] |
| Dirk Van de Put – Chairman & CEO at Mondelez International | |
| Corporate HQ | 905 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607 |
| Investor Relations | ir.mondelezinternational.com |
| Corporate Website | mondelezinternational.com |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the CEO of Mondelez International?
The current CEO of Mondelez International is Dirk Van de Put. He has served as CEO since November 2017 and also holds the title of Chairman of the Board since April 2018. Under his leadership, Mondelez has grown to over $38 billion in annual revenue.
What is Dirk Van de Put’s net worth?
Dirk Van de Put’s estimated net worth is approximately $78–$122 million as of 2026, primarily from his Mondelez International equity holdings and other investments. Estimates vary by source depending on the valuation methodology.
How much does Dirk Van de Put earn?
Dirk Van de Put earned approximately $22.3 million in total compensation for fiscal year 2024. This included $1.55 million in base salary, $2.48 million in bonus, $4.38 million in stock options, $12.93 million in performance stock awards, and $961,546 in other compensation.
What is Dirk Van de Put’s email address?
Dirk Van de Put’s corporate email address is [email protected], based on Mondelez International’s standard email format of [email protected]. For investor relations and press inquiries, visit mondelezinternational.com.
What brands does Mondelez own?
Mondelez International owns a portfolio of iconic global snack brands including Oreo, Cadbury, Milka, Toblerone, Ritz, Chips Ahoy!, Trident, Clif Bar, Tate’s Bake Shop, belVita, LU, Tang, and many more. The company has over 10 brands generating more than $1 billion each in annual revenue.
What languages does Dirk Van de Put speak?
Dirk Van de Put is fluent in five languages: Dutch, English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. His multilingual abilities reflect his Belgian upbringing and decades of working across Europe, Latin America, North America, and Asia.
How old is Dirk Van de Put?
Dirk Van de Put is 65 years old. He was born on May 14, 1960, in Mechelen, Belgium. He holds dual Belgian-American citizenship.
What did Dirk Van de Put do before Mondelez?
Before becoming Mondelez CEO, Van de Put served as CEO of McCain Foods (2011–2017), the world’s largest frozen potato producer. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership positions at Mars Inc., Coca-Cola, Groupe Danone, and Novartis across multiple continents.
Conclusion
Dirk Van de Put has established himself as one of the most accomplished leaders in the global food and beverage industry. His journey from a veterinary medicine student in Belgium to the helm of a $38 billion snacking empire is a testament to his adaptability, strategic vision, and deep understanding of consumer markets around the world. With over three decades of international experience across Mars, Coca-Cola, Danone, Novartis, and McCain Foods before joining Mondelez, Van de Put brings a uniquely global perspective to his role.
Under his leadership since 2017, Mondelez International has undergone a significant transformation — growing revenue by nearly 50%, making strategic acquisitions like Clif Bar and Tate’s Bake Shop, and building a portfolio of 10+ billion-dollar brands. While the company faces near-term headwinds from soaring cocoa costs, its underlying organic growth and strong brand portfolio position it well for continued success. At 65, Van de Put continues to drive Mondelez’s vision of becoming the undisputed global leader in snacking.
Article last updated: March 2026
Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including SEC filings, official company press releases, and reputable news outlets. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Net worth figures are estimates and may vary by source.