April 15, 2021 Brown–Forman Announces CFO Leadership Change

LOUISVILLE, KY — Brown‑Forman Corporation announces today a leadership change in its chief financial officer (CFO) role. Jane Morreau, executive vice president, chief financial officer, will be leaving Brown‑Forman after a nearly three-decade career at the company on July 1. Leanne Cunningham, senior vice president, shareholder relations officer, global commercial finance and financial planning and analysis, has been appointed chief financial officer, to succeed Morreau on July 2.

Morreau joined Brown‑Forman in 1991 and ascended through the finance ranks in planning and analytics, corporate financial reporting, capital management, and commercial finance, eventually becoming the company’s first female controller and chief accounting officer (CAO). In 2008, she became a member of the Executive Leadership Team and, in addition to her role as CAO, also assumed responsibility for global production finance, brands and commercial finance, and information technology (IT). In 2013, Morreau assumed the role of chief production officer (CPO) and head of information technology before being promoted to chief financial officer a year later. As CFO, Morreau has spearheaded innovative capital investment strategies, resource allocation models, business transformation efforts, and implemented analytic tools and technologies that have been instrumental to achieving the company’s corporate ambitions. She leaves a legacy of furthering the globalization of Brown‑Forman’s business, reshaping its portfolio of consumer brands, and developing leaders across the globe. Additionally, Morreau has been a tireless champion of the company’s environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives and a visible and vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion programs and outcomes.

“Jane has been a valuable leader to the company, guiding many strategic transactions, sharing thought leadership, providing disciplined financial acumen, and leading our information technology and global production functions,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Lawson Whiting. “Most recently her financial leadership throughout the pandemic and tariff policy implementation has helped Brown‑Forman continue to be a strong investment for our shareholders. Jane has also served in an important leadership role in advancing our diversity and inclusion efforts, making positive impacts on our business and our people around the world. We thank Jane for her lasting contributions to Brown‑Forman over many years that have positioned us for continued success going forward.”

Morreau added, “I deeply value the opportunities I’ve had and the relationships I’ve built over the last thirty years at Brown‑Forman. I have been able to grow and thrive while also making an impact on the community and people around me. I have contributed to the growth of our people and our brands around the world and I am especially proud of the work done by the Finance and IT teams during my tenure. These teams are delivering top-tier performance and strategic insight-driven recommendations that will continue to ensure there is ‘Nothing Better in the Market.’”

Cunningham has served Brown‑Forman for more than 25 years in a variety of roles. Currently, she is responsible for the strategy, direction, and oversight of financial forecasting and reporting across the global business, and for cultivating relationships with the investment community, to include our largest group of shareholders, the Brown family. She spent many years in our global production operations, having served as general manager, Brown‑Forman Brands, where she led teams through the acquisition and integration of The Benriach Distillery Company Limited and the establishment of the Slane and Old Forester distilleries. Cunningham held roles as director of finance and chief of staff/director of business development for Global Production, as well as roles in corporate strategy, accounting, and commercial finance functions.

“Leanne brings a diverse set of experiences to the role of chief financial officer, having spent time in the core of our business - production - as well as guiding our important long-term strategic decisions through her leadership in multiple finance roles,” said Whiting. “In addition, Leanne is a proven leader with relationships in the investment community and with our long-term shareholders. I look forward to working with her in this critical role and as part of Brown‑Forman’s executive leadership team.”

Cunningham added, “I look forward to joining the leadership team and leading the finance organization to contribute to Brown‑Forman’s long-term success as the company continues to grow globally.”

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