PepsiCo Advances Brand Transformation With North America Leadership Changes
Leadership Changes Take Effect at Year End
PepsiCo has announced a series of leadership changes that will reshape how the company operates across North America. The moves take effect December 28 and reflect an ongoing effort to align food and beverage operations more closely while strengthening global commercial coordination.
Steven Williams will transition from his role as CEO of PepsiCo North America to executive vice chairman, global chief commercial officer, and head of corporate affairs. In this expanded position, Williams will lead PepsiCo’s global selling organization and oversee the away-from-home business, which includes foodservice, convenience, and other on-the-go channels. He will also take on a more prominent role in external engagement with stakeholders in the United States and internationally.
Ram Krishnan Named CEO of PepsiCo North America
Ram Krishnan has been appointed CEO of PepsiCo North America, succeeding Williams. Krishnan most recently led PepsiCo’s U.S. Beverages business and has spent decades with the company across a wide range of leadership roles.
As North America CEO, Krishnan will be responsible for advancing a more integrated approach to food and beverage operations. PepsiCo has already begun testing this model in select markets, including the Texoma region, where combined food and beverage teams are operating under a unified structure. The pilot is intended to assess how integration affects execution, sales coverage, and service levels.
Updated Leadership Team Reflects Operating Priorities
Several senior leaders will continue in their current roles or take on expanded responsibilities under the new structure. Rachel Fernando will remain CEO of the U.S. Foods business. Mike Del Pozzo has been promoted to president of U.S. Beverages and will join the PepsiCo Executive Committee. Gregg Roden will continue to lead the North America supply chain organization.
Bryan Santee will oversee U.S. commercial and go-to-market teams as chief commercial officer. Additional groups reporting to Krishnan include Foods and Beverages Field Sales, Strategic Partnerships and Franchise, Global Foodservice, and PepsiCo Canada.
Expanded Role for Strategy and Transformation Leadership
Beyond North America, PepsiCo also announced changes within its international leadership team. Athina Kanioura has been appointed CEO of Latin America Foods while continuing in her role as chief strategy and transformation officer. She succeeds Paula Santilli, who will remain with the company through July to support the transition after a 35-year career at PepsiCo.
In her dual role, Kanioura will continue guiding PepsiCo’s long-term transformation efforts while overseeing the Latin America Foods business. The region will continue to focus on digital-first innovation and the application of artificial intelligence across operations.
These efforts build on work already underway through PepsiCo Labs, the company’s innovation initiative that has evaluated more than 2,500 startups and launched over 200 pilot programs during the past five years.
Portfolio Evolution Continues Alongside Organizational Change
The leadership changes follow a year of significant portfolio activity for PepsiCo. The company has expanded its presence in faster-growing segments tied to health and wellness, including the acquisition of prebiotic soda brand poppi for $1.95 billion in March and the purchase of Siete Foods for $1.2 billion in October.
PepsiCo has also introduced new products within existing brands, including protein-focused snack options and prebiotic cola formulations, as it continues to broaden its offering to meet evolving consumer preferences.
Next Chapter for PepsiCo
PepsiCo’s leadership changes mark another step in the company’s ongoing effort to reshape how it operates across regions and categories. With new executives in expanded roles and continued emphasis on integration, technology, and portfolio development, the company enters the next phase of its broader transformation.
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