Leo Kiely
CEO, MillerCoors
Corporate Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
Website: www.millercoors.com
Primary Business: Beer Industry
Revenues: $7.6 billion
Employees: More than 8,000
2011 CEO in Action
I’ve always believed that great people drive great business results. At MillerCoors, a diverse workforce keeps us ahead of our competitors and ultimately helps us to better understand our consumers. It’s a key part of how we’re creating America’s best beer company.
That’s why we’ve made a commitment to both the workplace and the marketplace. We are working to ensure that diversity and inclusion are included in all aspects of our business. And because people are at the heart of all we do, we’re committed to building lasting relationships with diverse communities and suppliers.
Since the joint venture in July 2008, MillerCoors has invested more than half a billion dollars in multicultural initiatives and community programs. Our MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneur Series (MUES) has empowered urban and multicultural communities in the marketplace since 1999 by providing training and resources and has awarded more than $1.4 million in small business grants. We’ve also implemented workplace development initiatives, such as a women’s groupmentoring program that specifically works to develop capabilities and talent. Additionally, our supplier diversity program helped grow our diverse supplier spend by nearly 10 percent last year alone.
I’ve often said that people are our most important ingredient. At MillerCoors, by making a commitment to diversity, we’re creating an environment where people contribute their best on a daily basis. Diversity and inclusion are essential to how we will win in the marketplace and critical to the relationships that we build in the workplace.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Harvard University; MBA, the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania
First Job: Cutting lawns at a cemetery in Long Branch, New Jersey
What I’m Reading: Dog On It, by Spencer Quinn
My Philosophy: People make it happen!
Best Advice: Let your results do your talking.
Family: My wife of 40 years, Susan, a Presbyterian minister; son, Bill (Leo IV), action firm director; daughter, Whitney, graphic artist; three grandchildren: Leo V, Tegan and Margot and a dog named Winston
Interests: Sailing
Favorite Charity: United Way
Leo is a wonderful friend that has worked his way to success never forgets his friends as he moves upward in the business world… I enjoyed knowing Leo and playing tennis with him… a great competitor and sportsman… always the best to him in all that he does.
PS… I do remember the disappointment he experienced on his way up the corporate latter… we talked about it at length… he pulled himself up by the bootstraps and landed on his feet at Coors… the rest is history…. the Best of Best to you Leo
jerry lee smith
plano, tx