Seattle — Starbucks Coffee Company has appointed Brad Lerman as executive vice president and general counsel following an extensive internal and external search. Lerman will serve on the executive leadership team, reporting directly to CEO Laxman Narasimhan, effective May 8, 2023.
Lerman joins the company with over three decades of legal and regulatory experience in both the public and private sector. Most recently, Lerman was senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Medtronic, a healthcare technology provider. He has also served in similar leadership roles at the Federal National Mortgage Association and Pfizer, where he led the company’s litigation and investigations teams.
“Through my immersion at Starbucks, I quickly learned we have a highly skilled team of partners (employees) that make up our Law and Corporate Affairs team,” says Narasimhan. “We are excited to welcome Brad who brings a tenure of experience leading companies through some of their most challenging issues across international markets and working closely with regulators around the world. His expertise in both the public and private sectors will strengthen our decision making, protect and advance the business and brand of Starbucks in the markets in which we operate, and further develop our legal and compliance talent. I want to thank Zabrina Jenkins, our acting general counsel, for her exceptional leadership and invaluable contributions during her time in the role.”
Following a 6-month immersion, Narasimhan officially took the reins as CEO on March 20, 2023.
Founded in 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company today has more than 36,000 stores worldwide. For more information, visit www.starbucks.com.
SOURCE: Starbucks Coffee Company