The Coca-Cola Company has announced a key leadership transition in its global operations. Effective September 1, 2025, Luisa Ortega will assume the role of President of the Europe Operating Unit, succeeding Nikos Koumettis, a veteran Coca-Cola executive with 25 years of dedicated service. Koumettis, who has led the Europe unit since its formation in 2021, is set to retire in early 2026 but will remain with the company through February 28, 2026, in the role of Senior Advisor. In addition to this advisory position, he will join the board of directors of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd., a company-owned bottler in India.
A Transition of Seasoned Global Leadership
Ortega brings a strong track record of leadership, global experience, and operational success to her new role. Since joining Coca-Cola in 2019, she has served as President of the Africa Operating Unit, a critical and complex division that spans 54 diverse markets across the continent. Under her guidance, Coca-Cola has navigated economic volatility, advanced local manufacturing investments, and strengthened its route-to-market strategies in Africa.
In making the announcement, Henrique Braun, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Coca-Cola Company, praised Ortega’s leadership and emphasized the significance of the appointment.
“Luisa has done an outstanding job leading our African business, where our system has continued to make major investments to serve growing markets on the continent,” Braun said. “As head of Europe, she will bring great international experience to one of our biggest and most important operating units.”
Ortega’s appointment is part of Coca-Cola’s ongoing strategy to leverage seasoned leadership talent from its global network to advance key markets. Europe remains one of Coca-Cola’s most mature and high-performing regions, and Ortega will be tasked with sustaining that momentum while navigating complex regulatory environments, evolving consumer preferences, and environmental priorities across multiple countries.
Celebrating the Career and Contributions of Nikos Koumettis
As Ortega steps into her new role, the company is also taking time to honor the leadership and impact of Nikos Koumettis, who has spent a quarter century with The Coca-Cola Company. His tenure has included roles across multiple geographies and leadership in various strategic business areas.
Koumettis has led the Europe Operating Unit since its creation in 2021, overseeing its evolution and growth amid shifting market dynamics and a post-pandemic recovery. Under his leadership, the unit achieved significant operational milestones, including being recognized as Coca-Cola’s top-performing operating unit in 2023. This distinction reflects strong execution in sales, brand performance, sustainability initiatives, and supply chain resilience.
“Nikos has been a valued colleague for many years, and he has played a vital role in strengthening our European business,” said Braun. “The operating unit was honored as the company’s top performer for 2023, which is a testament to the strong work of Nikos and his team.”
Koumettis will remain engaged with the company in a transitional advisory capacity through February 2026, ensuring a smooth leadership handover and supporting key projects, particularly in international markets. His appointment to the board of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages also reflects the company’s commitment to leveraging experienced leadership in fast-growing strategic markets like India.
Looking Ahead: Priorities for Europe and Africa
As she prepares to take the reins in Europe, Ortega is expected to focus on several strategic priorities, including accelerating Coca-Cola’s digital transformation efforts, supporting innovation across beverage categories, and deepening sustainability initiatives aligned with European Union goals. Consumer preferences in Europe continue to shift toward health-conscious, low- and no-sugar options, environmentally responsible packaging, and premium beverage experiences—all areas where Coca-Cola has made significant progress and aims to expand further.
Ortega’s deep understanding of emerging markets, coupled with her experience managing complex, multicultural teams across Africa, positions her well for success in leading a region as diverse as Europe. Her leadership style has been described as inclusive, pragmatic, and strongly aligned with Coca-Cola’s purpose-driven growth model.
Ortega will continue to report directly to Henrique Braun, ensuring continuity and alignment across Coca-Cola’s global operating framework. The company has not yet announced Ortega’s successor in the Africa Operating Unit. An update on that appointment is expected in the coming weeks as Coca-Cola continues its internal evaluation and succession planning.
Coca-Cola’s Commitment to Leadership Excellence
This leadership change highlights The Coca-Cola Company’s deep bench of global talent and its ongoing commitment to leadership development and strategic succession. By elevating Ortega to lead the European operations, the company reinforces its belief in promoting high-impact leaders with a global outlook, deep operational insight, and a proven record of driving growth and innovation.
The Coca-Cola Company, headquartered in Atlanta, operates across more than 200 countries and territories. With a portfolio of over 200 brands, the company has built a strong leadership team to navigate a rapidly evolving global beverage landscape. Executives like Ortega and Koumettis exemplify the company’s emphasis on agility, cultural fluency, and results-driven leadership.
