Nicola Steele serves as Chief Operating Officer at Krispy Kreme Inc., where she oversees global operations, supply chain management, and manufacturing to ensure the seamless delivery of the company's iconic fresh doughnuts. With over 20 years of experience in the consumer goods and foodservice industries, Steele began her career at Procter & Gamble, rising through the ranks in supply chain and operations roles. She later held senior positions at Yum! Brands and Starbucks, where she honed her expertise in scaling operations across international markets while maintaining brand quality and efficiency. Steele's notable achievements include spearheading a digital transformation at Starbucks that optimized inventory management and reduced waste by 25%, as well as leading Yum! Brands' expansion into emerging markets, which boosted revenue by 18% in key regions. Her strategic vision earned her recognition as a "Top 50 Women in Operations" by Food Dive and a spot on Forbes' list of influential executives in consumer packaged goods. At Krispy Kreme, Steele has driven operational excellence by implementing sustainable sourcing practices and enhancing production capabilities to meet surging global demand. Under her leadership, the company achieved record operational uptime and expanded its Hot Light network, reinforcing Krispy Kreme's position as a beloved doughnut destination worldwide.