Exec Edge hosted a fireside chat at the ICR Conference 2026 with Michael Pengue, Chief Executive Officer at HINT. The in-person interview was joined by Editor-at-Large Jarrett Banks, and they discussed how the brand has been around for 20 years and how the company differentiates itself in the crowded bottled water industry, its brand relaunch on the horizon in 2026, among other topics.
About Michael Pengue
Michael Pengue is the Chief Executive Officer of Hint Water. Since assuming leadership in late 2024, he has reinvigorated the brand with a refreshed vision, a strengthened leadership team, and renewed industry optimism. Drawing on a 30-year career spanning multinational corporations and private equity-backed startups, Michael brings extensive executive experience and a proven record of driving growth.
Before joining Hint, Michael served as CEO of ZOA Energy, the better-for-you energy drink brand launched in collaboration with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, which was successfully acquired by Molson Coors. Earlier, he was Senior Vice President and General Manager at Keurig Dr Pepper, where he led the Away-From-Home coffee business as well as the company’s emerging brands portfolio. His strategic expertise was also instrumental as Chief Strategy Officer of Bai Brands, where he played a key role in its acquisition by Dr Pepper Snapple.
Michael spent two decades at Nestlé Waters, holding senior sales and marketing roles before being named President of its North America division. He began his career at Groupe Danone and has pursued advanced studies at leading institutions, including the London Business School, the University of Bridgeport, and the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland.
About HINT
Hint is a San Francisco-based beverage company with the mission of helping people fall in love with water by making water taste great. Hint infuses ultra-purified water with natural fruit essences that create unique and surprisingly accurate fruit flavors without adding any sugar, diet sweeteners, or calories. Hint has more than 25 flavors and comes in still and sparkling varieties, as well as a kids’ line. Hint is the #1 unsweetened flavored water in the US according to SPINS/IRI. The brand is sold in traditional retail stores, through foodservice operators, and direct-to-consumer in online channels like drinkhint.com and Amazon.com.
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Exec Edge NYSE Firesides Scheduled Feb 3, 2026
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