Bernhard Goepelt

Leader of the global legal function, integrally involved in strategic decision-making, business enablement and the protection of an IP portfolio, with more than 50,000 trademarks and patents. Managed 300+ associates across 40 offices worldwide, including a global security function of over 50 people (2016-2020).

Promoted to a new position combining legal responsibility for marketing, commercial, intellectual property and regulatory affairs, including protection of beverage and ingredient formulations and the determination of whether ingredients are permitted under local food laws. Managed administration of the global legal function, including strategy, business planning, budget, headcount and communications to executive management. Managed 60+ people.

Leader of the legal function across six divisions in Asia-Pacific, an increasingly important region for KO, with significant growth. Responsible for all legal aspects of the Beijing Olympics. Reported to the General Counsel, with a dotted line to the Asia-Pacific Group President. Managed 20 lawyers in Shanghai, Beijing, Korea, Tokyo, Sydney, Indonesia, Bangkok, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines, with six direct reports.

Member of the management board for Coca-Cola Japan, one of KO’s most complex businesses. Responsible for all legal matters for Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, including legal work for the Tokyo R&D Center. Developed a defense strategy for an US SEC investigation into Japan channel stuffing practices and implemented local compliance processes, following an SEC undertaking, which settled the investigation. Managed 12 lawyers in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Led legal matters across four divisions in 51 countries, managing the legal transition of 10 Eastern European countries with KO operations joining the EU. Functional oversight of the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Focused on Russia as an emerging market. Instrumental in transforming the legal department to a single global function, which improved governance, saved ~15% of global legal cost and enabled better people and resource planning.

Managed legal matters across 12 corporate entities in 10 countries. Also managed legal issues for eight KO bottling operations (including three publicly-traded companies) in Southeast and West Asia. Served as deputy manager for Incident Management and Crisis Resolution (IMCR) issues. In 2000 and 2001, the Southeast and West Asia Division became the first division ever to win the prestigious internal Robert W. Woodruff Cup for best performance in consecutive years.