Plano, Texas, United States, July 2026 — Yum! Brands has appointed Naiara De León as its Chief People & Culture Officer, effective November 1. In her new role, Naiara will lead the company’s global People & Culture strategy, focusing on developing exceptional leaders, strengthening Yum!’s culture, and supporting teams across its worldwide operations. Since joining Yum! in 2025, she has played a pivotal role in advancing the company’s global talent strategy, leadership development, and organizational capabilities, building on nearly a decade of partnership with Yum! as a trusted strategic adviser.
Prior to her appointment, Naiara served as Chief Talent & Center of Excellence Officer at Yum! Brands, where she led the operationalization of the company’s People & Culture function. She oversaw the Total Rewards, Learning & Development, and Talent Acquisition Centers of Excellence, while partnering closely with the Culture, Opportunity & Belonging and People Technology teams to align global people initiatives. She also worked alongside divisional HR leaders to strengthen leadership capability and accelerate the development of Yum!’s global talent.
Before joining Yum!, Naiara built an outstanding career at Bain & Company, where she spent nearly 15 years advising leading global organizations on strategy, transformation, organizational effectiveness, and leadership. She was promoted through a series of increasingly senior leadership positions, including Senior Partner, Principal, Manager, Case Team Leader, Consultant, Senior Associate Consultant, and Associate Consultant. Throughout her tenure, she partnered with executive leadership teams to solve complex business challenges, drive organizational transformation, and build high-performing leadership teams across multiple industries.
With more than 20 years of leadership and consulting experience, Naiara has developed deep expertise in talent strategy, leadership development, organizational transformation, culture, executive advisory, and people capability. Her extensive experience as both a strategic adviser and business leader positions her exceptionally well to shape the future of Yum!’s global workforce and reinforce its people-first culture.
Her appointment underscores Yum! Brands’ continued commitment to investing in leadership excellence, talent development, and a culture that empowers more than 62,000 restaurants and teams across the globe.
About Yum! Brands
Yum! Brands, Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the world’s largest restaurant companies, operating and franchising more than 62,000 restaurants across 155+ countries and territories. Its globally recognized portfolio includes KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger & Grill, serving millions of customers every day.
At the heart of Yum!’s success is its commitment to people. The company invests heavily in leadership development, learning, and culture, creating an environment where employees have opportunities to grow, innovate, and build rewarding careers while delivering exceptional customer experiences around the world.
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