Nooyi's actions already
demonstrate a commitment to diversity. She is the PepsiCo Executive Council
sponsor for women, serving as a voice in understanding and conveying the
"concerns and issues women have at PepsiCo," George says. In that role, Nooyi
reports directly to Reinemund and has created an internal women's-networking
group. She also is leading the development of a new company Web site where women
can learn how other women have advanced their careers and can receive mentoring.
The Web site is scheduled for release in the fall
Last year, Nooyi sponsored a
week-long event, Celebrating Us, at the company's Purchase, N.Y., headquarters.
Employees showcased their diverse cultures and promoted an inclusive
environment.
Known as a brilliant strategist
and engaging speaker, Nooyi articulates PepsiCo's grasp of the global market.
Last year, she delivered the commencement ceremony at
Columbia Business School, urging graduates to see the
connection among global economies.
Nooyi's corporate career started
as a product manager at Johnson & Johnson and Mettur Beardsel in
India. She came to the
United
States in 1978 and attended
Yale University. From 1980 to 1986, she served as
director of international corporate strategy for Boston Consulting Company. She
moved to Motorola's automotive division in 1986 and two years later was promoted
to vice president and director of Motorola's corporate strategy and planning. In
1990, she became senior vice president of corporate strategy and strategic
marketing for a power and automation technology company in
Switzerland. Four years later, she joined
PepsiCo as its senior vice president of strategic
planning.
Reinemund cited the
need to spend more time with his family when announcing his retirement from
PepsiCo. He will leave as chairman in May and has chartered a
progressive course on diversity that has made Pepsi an annual leader among The
DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity.
Reinemund told DiversityInc in
2005 that about 1 percent of the company's 8 percent growth in 2004 could be
attributed to diversity-inspired products. He regularly discusses diversity at
employee meetings and conferences and with Wall Street analysts.
"If you don't believe [that
diversity is good for business and is also the right thing to do], it's too hard
and you won't stay with it, and you won't be successful if there's no business
case as well," he told DiversityInc. (See also: First Comes CEO Commitment)
Reinemund became PepsiCo president
in 1999 and CEO in 2001. Before that, he served as senior operating officer of
Pizza Hut in 1984. From 2002 to 2004, PepsiCo realized steady growth under
Reinemund, with net revenue growing at a compound annual rate of 8 percent and
income per share increasing to 19.8 percent.
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