NextUp partners, such as The Coca-Cola Company, serve as catalysts for transformation within their organizations, empowering their employees with professional development opportunities while promoting inclusive environments.
In this PowerTalk with The Coca-Cola Company, hear from Susanne Hall, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED—one of Coca-Cola’s 225 bottling partners—as she discusses how her NextUp membership has impacted her approach to leadership.
How has the partnership between NextUp and Coca-Cola Bottling Company United contributed to your own professional development and the growth of other employees within the bottling network?
NextUp provides a unique opportunity that fosters professional development, networking, a safe environment for learning and sharing, and, most importantly, fellowship. Over my years of involvement with NextUp, I’ve formed lifelong friendships, been inspired to aim higher, and fully realized what is possible. For Coca-Cola UNITED associates, access to NextUp resources creates a space to engage with a network of talented and inspirational leaders. We recently attended the NextUp Summit, which was a key development opportunity for our women leaders, offering deep immersion in development, empowerment, and networking.
How has your involvement with NextUp shaped your approach to leadership and decision-making at Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, particularly in terms of engaging and supporting the women on your team?
Reflecting on my involvement in NextUp, I have gained strength, confidence, and inspiration from others to achieve my career goals. NextUp has also encouraged me to expand my network and connect with my peers. Networking doesn’t come naturally to me, but NextUp makes it easy to connect with so many amazing women who are both powerful and gracious, with a genuine interest in uplifting others. It truly feels like a sisterhood.
What excites you most about the future of the NextUp partnership, particularly in relation to how it will continue to support and engage bottling partners such as Coca-Cola Bottling Company United?
I am especially excited about using NextUp to focus on the professional development of women leaders within UNITED. Each year, UNITED hosts a Women’s Leadership Conference that centers on empowering female leaders across our company. NextUp serves as a valuable resource to encourage and support our female leaders. Our mission is aligned with The Coca-Cola Company, other bottlers in North America, and other CPG companies partnered with NextUp. Coming together to share insights and learnings across this community makes perfect sense.
What specific resource or event from the NextUp and Coca-Cola partnership has been the most valuable to you and why?
I’ve greatly benefited from several of the training resources available through NextUp. Recently, I participated in the “Navigating Polarizing Conversations” training, which equipped me to handle difficult conversations and address challenging topics I’ve faced in my leadership role this year. Learning how to listen effectively, understand different perspectives, and guide conversations toward constructive outcomes has been incredibly valuable in my work.
Another key benefit of being a NextUp member is attending the NextUp Leadership Summit. The sessions are consistently packed with valuable insights, and the speakers are inspirational and courageous leaders. Of course, the networking opportunities are exceptional!
What is the best advice that you’ve ever been given, that you would like to pass on to future leaders?
The best advice I’ve ever received is that you can achieve anything you set your mind to—having confidence in yourself is essential. Believing in your abilities is the foundation of success. Additionally, always stay true to yourself; maintaining authenticity in your leadership style and values helps build trust with those you lead. Preparation is also key: be on time, be present, and fully engage in everything you do. These habits not only show respect for others but also set the standard for excellence and professionalism in your career.
Thank you for reading the PowerTalks with The Coca-Cola Company series! Be sure to stay tuned to the NextUp Content Hub for more profiles and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
