Huong Kraus named Chairman of The Hershey Company (HSY) Board after Buck retires

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

The Hershey Company announced a leadership change in its board. Following the retirement of Michele G. Buck from her role as Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Board has appointed Huong Maria T. Kraus to serve as Chairman of the Board, effective August 18, 2025.

Ms. Kraus has been a Hershey board member since May 2023 and currently serves on the Audit and Governance Committees. She also serves as Chairman of the Board of Hershey Trust Company and Milton Hershey School, roles she has held since January 2024 after previously serving as Vice Chair. In addition, she is the Chief Financial Officer of Wedgewood Pharmacy, bringing experience in governance, finance, strategy and corporate development to her new role at Hershey.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

Hershey names experienced director Huong Maria T. Kraus as new board chair.

The company is transitioning its board leadership as Michele G. Buck retires from the Chairman role and Huong Maria T. Kraus becomes Chairman of the Board, effective August 18, 2025. This is a board-level governance change rather than an operational transaction, with no financial terms or strategy shifts outlined.

Ms. Kraus brings combined experience from serving on Hershey’s Audit and Governance Committees and as Chairman of Hershey Trust Company and Milton Hershey School, as well as her role as CFO of Wedgewood Pharmacy. This background suggests continuity in oversight of governance, finance and strategy, but the specific impact on company direction is not detailed.

Future company communications and periodic reports may provide more context on how the new chair’s priorities influence areas such as board oversight, capital allocation, or long-term strategic initiatives.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 8.01, 9.01

2 items

Item 8.01 Other Events Other

Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

0000047111false00000471112025-08-182025-08-18

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

August 18, 2025

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

1-183

23-0691590

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

19 East Chocolate Avenue

Hershey, PA 17033

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(717) 534-4200

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐						Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐						Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐						Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐						Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, one dollar par value

HSY

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging Growth Company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01. Other Events.

Following the retirement of Michele G. Buck from her role as Chairman of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of The Hershey Company (the “Company”), the Board has appointed Huong Maria T. Kraus to serve as Chairman of the Board, effective August 18, 2025. Ms. Kraus joined the Company’s Board in May 2023, and she currently serves on the Board’s Audit and Governance Committees.

Ms. Kraus has considerable leadership experience in governance, finance, strategy and corporate development. She currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Hershey Trust Company and Milton Hershey School, positions she has held since January 2024, having previously served as Vice Chair since January 2021. She has served as a director of Hershey Trust Company and a member of the Board of Managers of Milton Hershey School since January 2018. Ms. Kraus is the Chief Financial Officer of Wedgewood Pharmacy, a veterinary pharmacy solutions company, a position she has held since June 2021.

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits.

Exhibit Number

Description

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY

Date: August 18, 2025

By:

/s/ James Turoff

James Turoff Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

FAQ

What board leadership change did The Hershey Company (HSY) announce?

The Hershey Company stated that, following the retirement of Michele G. Buck from her role as Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Board has appointed Huong Maria T. Kraus to serve as Chairman of the Board, effective August 18, 2025.

Who is Huong Maria T. Kraus, the new Chairman of The Hershey Company (HSY) board?

Huong Maria T. Kraus joined Hershey’s Board in May 2023 and serves on the Audit and Governance Committees. She has extensive experience in governance, finance, strategy and corporate development.

What other roles does Huong Maria T. Kraus hold related to Hershey?

Ms. Kraus currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Hershey Trust Company and Milton Hershey School, positions she has held since January 2024 after previously serving as Vice Chair since January 2021.

What is Huong Maria T. Kraus’s professional background outside The Hershey Company (HSY)?

Huong Maria T. Kraus is the Chief Financial Officer of Wedgewood Pharmacy, a veterinary pharmacy solutions company, a position she has held since June 2021.

Does the 8-K filing for The Hershey Company (HSY) include any financial statements or deal terms?

The 8-K focuses on a board leadership change and lists only a technical exhibit (Cover Page Interactive Data File). It does not describe new financial results or transaction terms.

What exhibit is included in this Hershey (HSY) 8-K filing?

The filing lists Exhibit 104, described as the Cover Page Interactive Data File embedded within the Inline XBRL document.