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Since joining Yum! in August 2025, De Leon has led its talent, learning, rewards, and recruitment centres of excellence, helping strengthen leadership capability and organisational effectiveness. Her new role will be effective 1 November 2026.
Yum! Brands, which franchises or operates more than 63,000 restaurants across 155 countries and territories under the KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hu,t and Habit Burger & Grill brands, has named Nai De Leon (pictured above) its next Chief People & Culture Officer, effective 1 November 2026.
Based in Plano, Texas, United States, De Leon will take responsibility for the company’s global people strategy. Her remit will include talent, leadership development, total rewards, organisational effectiveness and people operations across Yum!’s worldwide business.
She will report to CEO Chris Turner and join the Yum! Brands Global Leadership Team.
The appointment builds on De Leon’s work since arriving at Yum! in August 2025, where she has led the company’s Total Rewards, Learning & Development and Talent Acquisition Centers of Excellence. She has also worked with leaders across the business on talent development, organisational effectiveness and the capabilities Yum! sees as critical to its long-term growth.
"Nai is an exceptional leader with deep expertise in talent, organisational transformation and leadership development, and she has already made an impact on our business since joining Yum!," Turner said.
"Her proven ability to develop leaders, shape culture and drive transformation makes her the ideal person to lead our global People & Culture organisation."
Before joining Yum!, De Leon spent two decades at Bain & Company, rising from associate consultant to senior partner. During that time, she advised global companies on transformation, growth strategy, organisational performance and change management. She also played a role in Bain’s own recruiting and leadership development efforts.
De Leon had already worked closely with Yum! for nearly a decade as a Bain adviser, partnering with the company’s leadership team on growth and transformation priorities. That experience gave her a close view of Yum!’s business, culture and global ambitions before she joined the company.
"I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve as Yum!’s Chief People & Culture Officer," De Leon said. "Our people and culture are a tremendous competitive advantage, and I'm excited to build on the strong foundation Tracy and our team have established.
"I look forward to continuing to develop exceptional leaders, strengthen our culture and help our teams around the world unlock their full potential."
De Leon succeeds Tracy Skeans, who recently announced plans to retire after more than 25 years with Yum!, including her most recent roles as Chief Operating Officer and Chief People & Culture Officer.
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Lead image / Nai De Leon Linkedin
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