A dynamic leader in the food and beverage industry, Dena vonWerssowetz currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer for Firehouse Subs, a $1.2 billion brand. She oversees all facets of marketing, brand strategy, culinary innovation, digital engagement, and analytics across the US and Canada.
Prior to this role, vonWerssowetz spent 14 years at PepsiCo, where she rose through the ranks from Associate Marketing Manager to Senior Director, leading iconic brands like Doritos, Lay’s, and Cheetos. Leading all markets outside the US and Canada, vonWerssowetz managed portfolio transformation and innovation for PepsiCo’s international beverage division, based in Dublin, Ireland.
At PepsiCo, vonWerssowetz led strategic partnerships in sports marketing and foodservice, including groundbreaking Super Bowl campaigns. For this role, Fast Company magazine referred to vonWerssowetz as the “queen of cheese” for her work developing viral sensations including the Cheetos Chicken Sandwich at KFC and Cheetos Popcorn at Regal Cinemas. Her creative leadership and digital savvy became legendary during the 2013 Super Bowl, where the Doritos brand took the top spot in Nielsen ratings for all commercials.
A proud, two-time graduate of the Haslam College of Business, vonWerssowetz earned her undergraduate degree in finance and her MBA. She is a dedicated alumna, having served on the UT Young Alumni Council, supporting student recruitment, funding a scholarship in the Haslam College of Business, and supporting Alpha Delta Pi and Delta Tau Delta.
Beyond her corporate achievements, vonWerssowetz is a passionate community advocate, working closely with the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and supporting church-based service work. She lives in Florida with her husband, Von (’07, ’09), and their three children.
