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Albertsons’ recent leadership moves redistribute oversight and prepare for finance succession; they do not, by themselves, show that strategy or results have changed. Meg Whitman became Executive Chair on September 9, 2026, with a stated role advising CEO Susan Morris on strategy and operations. Cody Perdue became Interim CFO on September 30. Three additional directors have been announced, with appointments effective October 14, 2026—after this article’s October 4, 2026 evidence cutoff.

Who is in charge now?

Susan Morris remains Albertsons’ CEO. Whitman’s appointment to a newly created Executive Chair role did not replace Morris: the company described Whitman as leading the board and advising Morris and the senior team on strategy and operations. Kim Fennebresque, previously board chair, became Lead Independent Director. Whitman’s appointment expanded the board from 10 members to 11. Albertsons’ September 9, 2026 announcement said Whitman would work with Morris on long-term strategy and priorities that include execution, profitable growth, AI-related operating structure, and a more consistent experience across stores and digital channels. These are management’s stated aims, not evidence that the changes have already been implemented or improved results.

What changed in the boardroom?

Albertsons announced Bill Boltz, Chris Drumgoole, and Meg Ham as incoming directors, with appointments scheduled to take effect October 14, 2026. As of October 4, they had not yet taken their seats. The company said the appointments would expand the board from 11 to 14 and highlighted their experience in merchandising and omnichannel retail, technology and AI, and grocery leadership and customer-focused transformation, respectively. The company’s announcement presents those capabilities as useful to its plans; it does not establish what decisions the directors will make or what results their participation will produce.

Who is the interim CFO, and what does the transition mean?

Cody Perdue became Interim CFO effective September 30, 2026, succeeding Sharon McCollam, who had announced plans to retire as President and CFO. Perdue retains oversight of treasury, investor relations, and risk management while a search for a permanent CFO is underway. Albertsons said McCollam would advise through February 27, 2027, to support continuity during the transition. The company’s announcement describes the transition arrangement, but does not say that Perdue’s appointment changes financial guidance, capital-allocation policy, or operating plans.

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  • Redemption Steps: Customer must present eGift QR code payment either printed, or on mobile device to Checker as tender.
  • Albertsons Companies gift cards can be redeemed at any of our store locations or for online transactions. For online purchases, gift cards must first be loaded to the applicable Albertsons Companies banner wallet (example Safeway, Jewel, Vons, etc).
  • Checker Instructions: Total order, Press EFT FULL, Scan QR code (printed or mobile version) with handheld scanner.
  • Self-checkout Instructions: Select "Pay with Scan" when prompted for payment type, then scan QR code with handheld scanner."
  • Visit ALBERTSONS.THEGIFTCARDSHOP.COM/RETAIL to find a store location near you

What has actually changed in operations?

The clearest documented operating-structure changes predate Whitman’s appointment. In May 2025, Albertsons reorganized executive responsibilities under CEO Morris, following the CEO succession from Vivek Sankaran, effective May 1, 2025. The company framed that structure as support for its “Customers for Life” strategy. Its May 30, 2025 leadership announcement described the following assignments:

  • Merchandising: Michelle Larson became EVP and Chief Merchandising Officer, with responsibility for own brands, merchandising strategy, pricing and promotion, space planning, fuel, and commission income.
  • Commercial and customer-facing work: Jennifer Saenz became EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, overseeing pharmacy and ecommerce operations, digital experiences, marketing and loyalty, and Albertsons Media Collective.
  • Technology and transformation: Anuj Dhanda’s remit expanded to include Data Science and Product Management.
  • Regional operations: Mike Withers took an expanded West operations role. Omer Gajial, then EVP and Chief Merchandising & Digital Officer, was set to leave.

In 2026, the company connected Whitman’s advisory work with AI-related operating structure and a more consistent experience between stores and digital channels. That signals areas management wants to address, not proof of new store-level procedures, technology deployments, staffing changes, or savings. The announcements do not establish those outcomes.

Rank #2
Albertsons Companies Physical Gift Card - $100
  • Redemption Steps: Customer must present eGift QR code payment either printed, or on mobile device to Checker as tender.
  • Albertsons Companies gift cards can be redeemed at any of our store locations or for online transactions. For online purchases, gift cards must first be loaded to the applicable Albertsons Companies banner wallet (example Safeway, Jewel, Vons, etc).
  • Checker Instructions: Total order, Press EFT FULL, Scan QR code (printed or mobile version) with handheld scanner.
  • Self-checkout Instructions: Select "Pay with Scan" when prompted for payment type, then scan QR code with handheld scanner."
  • Visit ALBERTSONS.THEGIFTCARDSHOP.COM/RETAIL to find a store location near you
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What do the changes mean for shareholders?

For shareholders, the confirmed implications are governance and succession-related: a new Executive Chair working alongside the CEO, an announced expansion of the board, and an interim CFO arrangement with a permanent search underway. Those facts may matter when assessing oversight and financial leadership, but they are not evidence that shareholder returns will improve.

The announcements do not show that the appointments caused a change in forecasts, dividends, share repurchases, valuation, or share-price performance. Financial performance should be assessed from reported results and filings, separately from leadership announcements. Albertsons’ SEC filings provide a source for the company’s reported financial information; they cannot, on their own, establish that later leadership changes caused a particular result.

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Albertsons Companies Physical Gift Card - $50
  • Redemption Steps: Customer must present eGift QR code payment either printed, or on mobile device to Checker as tender.
  • Albertsons Companies gift cards can be redeemed at any of our store locations or for online transactions. For online purchases, gift cards must first be loaded to the applicable Albertsons Companies banner wallet (example Safeway, Jewel, Vons, etc).
  • Checker Instructions: Total order, Press EFT FULL, Scan QR code (printed or mobile version) with handheld scanner.
  • Self-checkout Instructions: Select "Pay with Scan" when prompted for payment type, then scan QR code with handheld scanner."
  • Visit ALBERTSONS.THEGIFTCARDSHOP.COM/RETAIL to find a store location near you
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Albertsons eGift Card - $75 - Standard
  • Redemption Steps: Customer must present eGift QR code payment either printed, or on mobile device to Checker as tender.
  • Albertsons Companies gift cards can be redeemed at any of our store locations or for online transactions. For online purchases, gift cards must first be loaded to the applicable Albertsons Companies banner wallet (example Safeway, Jewel, Vons, etc).
  • Checker Instructions: Total order, Press EFT FULL, Scan QR code (printed or mobile version) with handheld scanner.
  • Self-checkout Instructions: Select "Pay with Scan" when prompted for payment type, then scan QR code with handheld scanner."
  • Visit ALBERTSONS.THEGIFTCARDSHOP.COM/RETAIL to find a store location near you
Rank #3
Albertsons eGift Card - $50 - Standard
  • Redemption Steps: Customer must present eGift QR code payment either printed, or on mobile device to Checker as tender.
  • Albertsons Companies gift cards can be redeemed at any of our store locations or for online transactions. For online purchases, gift cards must first be loaded to the applicable Albertsons Companies banner wallet (example Safeway, Jewel, Vons, etc).
  • Checker Instructions: Total order, Press EFT FULL, Scan QR code (printed or mobile version) with handheld scanner.
  • Self-checkout Instructions: Select "Pay with Scan" when prompted for payment type, then scan QR code with handheld scanner."
  • Visit ALBERTSONS.THEGIFTCARDSHOP.COM/RETAIL to find a store location near you

How to read the timeline

Date Change Status and significance
May 1, 2025 Susan Morris succeeded Vivek Sankaran as CEO. Effective in 2025 under a board succession plan; the SEC filing said Sankaran’s retirement was not due to disagreement over company operations, policies, or practices.
May 30, 2025 Albertsons announced changes to merchandising, commercial, technology, and regional operating responsibilities. Announced organizational assignments intended to support the company’s strategy; not proof of performance effects.
September 9, 2026 Meg Whitman became Executive Chair; Kim Fennebresque became Lead Independent Director. Effective appointment; board size rose from 10 to 11.
September 30, 2026 Cody Perdue became Interim CFO. Effective appointment; permanent CFO search underway, with McCollam advising through February 27, 2027.
October 14, 2026 Bill Boltz, Chris Drumgoole, and Meg Ham are due to join the board. Announced future appointments as of October 4; planned board size is 14.

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