Kevin Johnson most recently served as president and chief executive officer of Starbucks. Kevin first joined Starbucks in 2009, serving on the company’s board of directors during a period of record-setting transformation and growth. In March 2015, Kevin took on the role of president and chief operating officer, leading the company’s global operating businesses across all geographies, as well as the core support functions of Starbucks supply chain, marketing, human resources, technology and mobile and digital platforms. He assumed the role of president and CEO in April 2017, a role he held for five years prior to retiring in April 2022. Under Kevin’s leadership, Starbucks created significant value for all stakeholders. Kevin was the architect of Starbucks Growth at Scale agenda, transforming the way Starbucks drove innovation both in stores and digitally, expanding its global reach, significantly improving the company’s performance, and delivering record results.
His career spans more than 40 years, scaling global businesses, including 16 years at Microsoft, five years as CEO of Juniper Networks, 13 years at Starbucks including five years as president and CEO. He has also served the country when in 2008, he was appointed to the National Security Telecommunication Advisory Committee where he served both presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Kevin’s commitment to innovation and following his heart extends beyond the world of business. He was a founding board member of NPower, an organization that provides nonprofits with access to technology and the skills needed to fulfill their social missions. He is involved with Catalyst, a leading nonprofit focused on expanding opportunities for women in business. Kevin also supports Youth Eastside Services, one of the largest providers of youth and family counseling in the Seattle area. At Starbucks, Kevin is passionate about continuing to nurture what’s at the heart of the company’s success: human connection – the tens of millions of interactions large and small that happen between partners and customers every week, and make a meaningful difference in the communities around the world where Starbucks does business.
He graduated from New Mexico State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.