Kat Cole

President and COO, Focus Brands

Kat Cole is formerly president of Cinnabon Inc. and now President and COO of Cinnabon’s parent company, FOCUS Brands, running the 7 businesses and brands: Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, Moe’s, Schlotzsky’s, McAlister’s, Carvel and Jamba Juice with 6500 operations across 60 countries. She also leads the company’s global licensing division and all alternative channel retail. Kat’s background in international operations, turning around mature businesses, growing early stage businesses and developing talent along the way built her passion for helping people realize they are capable than more than they know. Kat is an angel investor and a humanitarian with projects in the US and Eastern Africa. She is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, on the United Nations Global Entrepreneurs Council, an advisor to high growth businesses and a new mom. Kat was featured on CBS’ “Undercover Boss” and is one of Fortune’s 40 under 40. Kat is an author and public speaker on leadership, building brands and businesses and change management – sharing her lessons with professionals in many industries as well as students at some of her favorite universities. Her deep authenticity, transparency and commitment to changing the world for the better make her a unique leader in the commercial world. Her journey from waitress to executive by 26, global chain president by 31, and investor by 35 is often shared as an example of the American and entrepreneurial dream.