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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThese are three separate leadership developments, announced on different dates and for different reasons: Starbucks reorganized retail leadership in 2025 and later updated its executive roster; Avanade’s CEO transition took effect February 3, 2026; and Tune Therapeutics named a CEO and board chair on March 4, 2025.
At a glance
| Company | Announcement or effective date | Change | Predecessor’s next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starbucks | Announced in 2025; new roles were expected to begin in February, according to the announcement | Mike Grams was named North America chief stores officer and Meredith Sandland chief store development officer | Sara Trilling and Arthur Valdez chose to leave and agreed to help with the transition for the next few months |
| Avanade | Effective February 3, 2026 | Chris Howarth became CEO, succeeding Rodrigo Caserta | Caserta joined Microsoft as Corporate Vice President, Small, Medium Enterprises & Channel, Americas |
| Tune Therapeutics | Announced March 4, 2025 | John McHutchison AO, MD became CEO and Chairman of the Board | The announcement describes him as an existing board member elevated to CEO and chair; it does not identify a predecessor’s next role |
What changed in Starbucks leadership?
Starbucks tied its retail leadership changes to a new operating model under its “Back to Starbucks” plan. The company said the model was intended to give roles clearer ownership and accountability by separating store operations from store development. In the announcement, CEO Brian Niccol said: “As we focus on our ‘Back to Starbucks’ plan, we need a new operating model for our retail team, with clear ownership and accountability and an appropriate scope for each role.” Starbucks’ 2025 announcement
Store operations and development split into distinct roles
Starbucks named Mike Grams North America chief stores officer, responsible for North America store performance and retail teams. Meredith Sandland was named chief store development officer, responsible for store development strategy and design. The announcement said both were expected to start in February.
Starbucks described Grams as having more than 30 years at Taco Bell, most recently as its president and COO. It described Sandland as CEO of Empower Delivery, with previous leadership experience at Kitchen United, Taco Bell and Bain & Company. These are credentials as presented by Starbucks in its announcement.
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Two leaders departed; later titles differ from the original announcement
Sara Trilling and Arthur Valdez decided to leave after discussions about the new roles and agreed to assist with the transition for the next few months. A separate Starbucks leadership update for the 2026 annual meeting lists Grams as chief operating officer and Sandland as chief coffeehouse development officer—titles that differ from the ones in the original announcement. That roster also lists Sanjay Shah as chief supply chain officer. Starbucks’ 2026 leadership roster
Who is the new CEO of Avanade?
Chris Howarth became Avanade CEO effective February 3, 2026, succeeding Rodrigo Caserta. Avanade said Caserta had been CEO since 2024 and had spent more than 11 years at the company before stepping down. He moved to Microsoft as Corporate Vice President, Small, Medium Enterprises & Channel, Americas. Avanade’s CEO appointment announcement
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Avanade described Howarth as having more than 28 years with Accenture and more than five years of involvement with Avanade through leadership in the Accenture–Microsoft ecosystem. The company said he would retain ownership of the overall Microsoft relationship. Avanade’s leadership page lists Howarth as CEO. Avanade leadership
Manish Sharma, Accenture chief strategy and services officer and Avanade board chair, said: “His appointment ensures continuity in our strategy and momentum, while further strengthening Avanade’s central role in the joint venture.” That is the rationale attributed to Sharma in the announcement, rather than an independent assessment of the appointment’s results.
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Who leads Tune Therapeutics?
Tune Therapeutics announced John McHutchison AO, MD as its CEO and Chairman of the Board on March 4, 2025. The company presented him as a veteran drug-development executive and said he had previously served as President and CEO of Assembly Biosciences. Tune’s current leadership page continues to list him as CEO and board chair. Tune’s appointment announcement Tune Therapeutics leadership
The announcement also cites his work at Gilead Sciences and involvement in the acquisition of Kite Therapeutics; those are company-reported credentials, not independent evaluations of his performance. Tune’s news index includes a May 30, 2026 update on TUNE-401 proof-of-concept data. That later company news is not evidence that the CEO appointment caused any particular outcome. Tune Therapeutics news
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Dan McHugh, Tune co-founder, board member and investor at Yosemite, said in the appointment announcement: “John has been an invaluable asset to the Tune Board of Directors, and we are thrilled to have him leading the company forward as CEO.”
Quick Recap
How the three transitions differ
- Starbucks: A retail reorganization split store operations and development into separate leadership responsibilities, alongside the departures of two executives.
- Avanade: Howarth succeeded Caserta in a CEO transition that Avanade framed around continuity and the company’s Accenture–Microsoft relationship; Caserta moved to Microsoft.
- Tune Therapeutics: McHutchison’s appointment combined CEO and board-chair roles, elevating an existing board member to lead the company.
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