Connell, who recently served as global director of consumer insights and strategy at The Gillette Co., will assume her new position Dec. 1. In this newly-created position, Connell will be responsible for identifying marketplace growth opportunities and developing strategies to provide more comprehensive knowledge of the varied foodservice operations and markets Sysco serves.
Connell, 34, began her career in 1992 at the Procter & Gamble Co. as manager of consumer and market knowledge, where she was responsible for brand research in the company's Hair Care division. In 1995 her duties were expanded to include the China marketplace, and in 1997 she was named senior manager of consumer and market knowledge for fabric and home care goods throughout Asia.
Connell returned to the United States in 1998 and progressed to section manager of consumer and market knowledge for North and South America. In 2000 she was appointed to lead teen strategy for a Procter & Gamble corporate e-business venture.
She joined Pennzoil-Quaker State in 2001 as director of the consumer and market insight department and continued in that capacity following Royal Dutch Shell's 2003 acquisition of the company. Later that year she was named an adjunct professor of marketing at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Management and also served as a consultant in marketing strategy for clients. In January 2004 she was named to her position at The Gillette Co.
Connell is a 1992 graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in psychology. She currently resides in Houston with her husband, Paul Campbell, who is a partner at Deloitte and Touche.
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