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Paula Greenleaf is senior vice president, International and Channel Development Finance for Starbucks. She leads Finance across the company’s Channel Development and International business units, driving strategic business growth and collaborating across more than 80 markets around the world and key partnerships with global brands including Nestlé and PepsiCo.
Paula began her Starbucks career in 2007, as a finance director for Starbucks Entertainment, and then moved to U.S. Retail in 2008, working with operations on critical business transformation initiatives. She later served as director of finance for Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis, leading the corporate finance team that develops strategic and annual operating plans in addition to managing global general and administrative expenses and capital.
Paula was promoted to vice president in 2018, with leadership responsibility for finance teams serving Starbucks Global Supply Chain and Global Coffee, Social Impact and Sustainability functions. In this role, she was instrumental in amplifying the role of supply chain as a strategic enabler and engine of productivity to unlock profitable growth for the business. Throughout her time at Starbucks, Paula has been recognized for excellence in mentorship and talent development, as well as inspiring and empowering partners (employees) through her leadership style and culture-creation focus.
Paula began her career at Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC), where she obtained her license as a Certified Public Accountant. She led finance for record labels at Capitol EMI Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment during a time of deep transformation in the music industry with the advent of online music. Building on this experience, Paula then led finance for Sony’s digital media ventures division, specializing in incubation, start-ups and buyouts. Her responsibilities included more than 30 digital media properties, new business ventures and the division’s portfolio of equity stakes.
Paula graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and a concentration in Accounting. Outside of work, she and her family enjoy exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest, supporting local animal rescue organizations, and cheering on their favorite sports teams (especially the New York Yankees). Her favorite Starbucks beverage is a Royal English Breakfast Tea Misto.