Early Life
Victoria B. Mars was born in either 1956 or 1957. Her parents were Forrest Mars Jr. and Virginia Cretella Mars. Her great-grandfather, Frank Mars, founded the Mars Candy Factory in 1911. She attended Foxcroft School and graduated from Yale University.
Rise to Success
Mars began her career at Mars, Incorporated in 1978, starting in France as an Assistant Brand Manager for Milky Way. She later became the Export Manager. In 1984, she became the Director of the Marine Systems Division of Mars Electronics International. She also served as Vice President of S&F, Commercial, and People and Organization for Dove. She then became the Ombudsman at Mars, Inc. in 1997. She became chairman in 2014, making her the first female chairman of Mars, Incorporated.
Key Business Strategies
Mars's leadership has focused on sustainable business practices, industry initiatives, and a commitment to employee well-being, including establishing an ombudsman program. She has emphasized the importance of the company's Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom. These principles have been instrumental in guiding her decisions and leadership approach.
Philanthropy
Victoria Mars is known for her philanthropic efforts, including substantial contributions to organizations such as the Charles Darwin Foundation, Galapagos Conservancy, Mystic Seaport, High Mountain Institute, and Thorncroft Equestrian Center. In 2023, she made an $11 million gift to the Salzburg Global Seminar, the largest single gift in the organization's history, to bolster its endowment and launch a new initiative.