New York, United States, April 2025 – Melissa James has taken on the role of Vice President, People and Engagement at Pernod Ricard, where she will lead organizational development, talent acquisition, employee relations, and engagement strategies across North America. Her role also involves tracking and measuring ROI on key people initiatives and contributing to the broader people strategy as a core member of the People and Experiences Leadership Team.
Melissa brings a deep understanding of total rewards and people strategy from her tenure at Pernod Ricard, where she previously served as Vice President, Total Rewards & People Solutions. In that role, she implemented comprehensive reward strategies, led shared services in HRIS, payroll, and benefits, and partnered with senior leaders on talent needs. Prior to this, she was Vice President, Total Rewards & Organizational Effectiveness – North America, overseeing compensation, benefits, wellness, and OD frameworks for the region.
Before joining Pernod Ricard, Melissa held a series of senior HR leadership roles at Diageo, where she spent nearly a decade managing total rewards and talent programs. She was instrumental in building global Centers of Excellence and led regional and global strategies for compensation, benefits, and performance, managing teams across North America, Europe, and Latin America.
Her earlier roles include leadership positions at AVANGRID, People’s United Bank, and Altria, where she shaped compensation policy, drove strategic transformation initiatives, and contributed to executive-level HR governance. Her journey began at McKinsey & Company, where she laid a strong foundation in compensation systems and personnel administration.
About Pernod Ricard:
Pernod Ricard is a global leader in wine and spirits, with a portfolio of 240 premium brands distributed across more than 160 countries. Headquartered in Paris and operating in 73 countries, the company is powered by a passionate team of 18,500 employees. Pernod Ricard’s mission centers on “créateurs de convivialité”, creating shared moments that are genuine, responsible, and impactful. From grain to glass, sustainability and responsibility are embedded in the company’s culture and operations.
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