“Leadership is hard to define and good leadership even harder. But if you can get people to follow you to the ends of the earth, you are a great leader.” ~ Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo
Summary: Indra Nooyi joined PepsiCo in 1994 and was named President and CFO in 2001. While serving as PepsiCo’s CFO fom 2001 to 2006, annual revenues rose 72% while net profit more than doubled to $5.6 billion. She has directed the company’s global strategy for more than decade now. Nooyi also led PepsiCo’s restructuring efforts, including the 1997 divestiture of its restaurants into Yum! Brands. And she took the lead in the acquisition of Tropicana and Quaker Oats, which also brought Gatorade to the PepsiCo family. In 2007 she became the fifth CEO in PepsiCo’s 44-year history. Indra Nooyi is known for her ability to have extreme drive and still maintain a sense of heart and fun. She is also bringing social responsibility into PepsiCo’s corporate culture and encourages her employees to “Lead With Purpose.” Indra is the current Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo, the second largest food and beverage business in the world by net revenue. She has consistently ranked among the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. In 2014, she was ranked at #13 on the list of Forbes World’s 100 most powerful women, and was ranked the 82nd most powerful woman on the Fortune list in 2016.
Nationality: Indian-American
Company: PepsiCo
Net worth: 144 million USD (December 2014)
Q: What is your view on utilizing and empowering women in the work place? on brainyquote.com
A: Most companies target women as end users, but few are effectively utilizing female employees when it comes to innovating for female consumers. When women are empowered in the design and innovation process, the likelihood of success in the marketplace improves by 144%!
