In this candid and compelling conversation, Ben Boyd, then the Chief Communications Officer at Chobani, shares how a purpose-led food company stays the course in a hyper-politicized world.
From his unplanned journey into communications to building reputation resilience at brands like Lowe’s, Peloton, and now Chobani, Ben discusses the evolution of the CCO’s role in an “always on” landscape.
He offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Chobani decides whether to speak out on hot-button issues, how curiosity and diversity power his team’s intelligence, and why convening the right cross-functional conversations is often more valuable than owning them.
With his grounded leadership style and thoughtful perspectives, Ben shows what it means to be both a conscience and a catalyst inside a values-driven company.
🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode
- 🛠️ How to build influence from the inside-out—not by demanding a seat at the table, but by creating the need for one
- 🧭 Why clear values invite reputational risk—and why that’s OK
- 🗣️ The scorecard system Chobani uses to decide when to speak out on societal issues
- 🌐 What makes stakeholder engagement strategic—not just reactive
- 🧠 Why the “always on” mindset starts with curiosity, not technology
- 📊 Which metrics matter most when you're balancing growth, authenticity, and trust
- 👥 How Chobani blends diverse voices across generations to stay in touch with its audiences
- 🤝 What role the CCO plays in convening teams to navigate conflict and complexity
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