Kettle Award

Kettle Award

Sylvia BuxtonSylvia Buxton
president & CEO
Perfetti Van Melle North America
Erlanger, Kentucky

Sylvia Buxton is a strategic global executive with more than three decades of experience in fast moving consumer goods, shepherding and growing high profile businesses and brands such as Mentos, Airheads, Hershey’s, Reese’s, and Airwick.

She is the most senior woman in global leadership at Perfetti Van Melle Group, currently leading the North American business unit of more than 1,200 employees across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Perfetti Van Melle is the second largest global non-chocolate candy and chewing gum manufacturer.

Sylvia is a passionate coach and mentor, with emphasis on nurturing emerging women leaders. She is a key member of mentoring committees for NextUp and the Northern Kentucky (NKY) Chamber Women’s Initiative. Under her leadership, Perfetti Van Melle USA was named one of NKY Best Workplaces by NKY Magazine in 2021 and 2022; the company has also been named a Community Champion finalist in the 2020 and 2021 NKY Chamber Business Impact Awards.

Sylvia is active in the local Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky business community, on the Board of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, Secretary of the OneNKYAlliance Board, and a Board of Advisor member for the NKY Chamber.

Within the U.S. confectionery industry, Sylvia has been a key leader and industry champion for more than 25 years. She is on the Board of Trustees for the National Confectioners Association (NCA) as well as the NCA’s Strategic Advisory Committee. She generously volunteers her time at NCA Women’s Leadership mentoring events to support the growth of women in the confectionery industry and is currently mentoring one of the industry’s Future (female) Leaders. Sylvia’s innovative mindset has contributed to the growth of the industry, helping to launch successful new products such as Reese’s Big Cups, Hershey’s Kisses Candy Cane Mint, Hershey’s Sugar Free, Jolly Rancher Lollipops, Mentos Clean Breath Mints, Fruit-tella Gummies, and more.

When she’s not working or sharing family time with her husband, two adult children and two cats, Sylvia is an avid competitive Masters swimmer, for which she holds several top 10 USA rankings.

You can find out more about Sylvia on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sylviabuxton