What do PepsiCo's Leadership Changes Mean for Operations?

PepsiCo is making several organisational changes intended to advance its growth strategy and support its commitment to being a “globally admired company”.

With a focus on ESG commitments and business resilience, PepsiCo is looking to build on a year in which it has unified its North American business, while accelerating investments in technology, AI and sustainable manufacturing and distribution.

The changes focus on key leadership positions across its global and regional operations, to better support its value chain and create positive impacts.

North American leadership and commercial strategy

Steven Williams, the current CEO of PepsiCo North America, has been appointed Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman Global Chief Commercial Officer and Corporate Affairs, effective 28 December.

According to PepsiCo, he will focus on "building a unified PepsiCo selling organisation developing a global strategy to accelerate growth for our away-from-home business and engaging stakeholders to support our growth in the US and around the world". 

Succeeding Steven as CEO of PepsiCo North America from the same date will be Ram Krishnan.

Ram is set to take on an “aggressive agenda,” accelerating the integration of PepsiCo's Foods and Beverages operations to meet evolving consumer and customer needs.

Ram has a strong record at PepsiCo, having built momentum in its US Beverages division through portfolio innovation and go-to-market transformation. His experience across categories, geographies and functions could help him to work with an end-to-end consumer-first mindset.

“Leadership is not about title or positions; it's about the impact you leave behind,” Ram writes in a LinkedIn post.

“Over my career I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors and colleagues who shaped how I think about leadership.”

A new integrated structure

Under Ram’s leadership, a new organisational structure in North America will come into effect. His team is set to include:

• Rachel Ferdinando, who will remain CEO of PepsiCo’s US Foods Category
• Mike Del Pozzo, who will be promoted to President of PepsiCo’s US Beverages Category and join the PepsiCo Executive Committee
• Gregg Roden, who will continue to lead the North America Supply Chain team
• Bryan Santee, who will lead the US Commercial and Go-To-Market teams as Chief Commercial Officer US.

Further teams reporting to Ram will include Foods and Beverages Field Sales, Strategic Partnerships and Franchise, the newly integrated Texoma region where PepsiCo is piloting combined Foods and Beverages operations, Global Foodservice and PepsiCo Canada.

This structure points towards a more deeply integrated supply chain and commercial strategy.

Latin America's digital future

Changes are also under way in PepsiCo's Latin American division. Effective 28 December, Athina Kanioura will become CEO of Latin America Foods, in addition to her current role as Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer.

“I am truly excited to share that I will be stepping into the role of CEO for PepsiCo Latin America Foods while continuing to lead and build upon the legacy of success of our S&T organisation,” writes Athina on LinkedIn.

“It is an honour to follow in the footsteps of Paula Santilli whose leadership has shaped Latin America into one of PepsiCo’s most dynamic and resilient regions. I am grateful to be able to count her as a friend and trusted advisor.”

Paula Santilli, the current CEO of Latin American Foods, is retiring after a 35-year career at PepsiCo. During her tenure, the Latin America team achieved strong growth while enabling talent development and inclusion. Paula will remain with PepsiCo until July to support Athina’s transition.

Athina has been a key figure in shaping PepsiCo's overarching strategy and leading its global capabilities transformation, bringing extensive experience in technology.

Under her leadership the Latin America Foods division can continue to innovate with digital-first solutions, leverage AI and pilot new culinary initiatives.