PepsiCo has announced a series of organisational changes designed to advance its growth strategy and support its commitment to being a best-in-class and globally admired company.
Over the past year, the company has unified its North America businesses, continued investment in advanced technology and AI, strengthened its brands, modernised its manufacturing operations and enhanced its warehouse and distribution capabilities. These efforts have positioned PepsiCo as a more agile and future-ready organisation. The latest organisational changes represent the next step in this evolution.
Steven Williams, who has served as CEO of PepsiCo North America for the past year, has been appointed Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman, Global Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and Corporate Affairs, effective 28 December 2025. In his new role, Williams will focus on building a unified PepsiCo selling organisation, developing a global strategy to accelerate growth in the away-from-home business, and engaging stakeholders to support growth in the US and internationally.
Following Williams’ appointment, Ram Krishnan will become CEO of PepsiCo North America, effective 28 December 2025. He will lead an ambitious agenda to accelerate the integration of Foods and Beverages operations where this creates value and enables the company to better meet the needs of consumers and customers. Krishnan brings a strong track record at PepsiCo, most recently driving momentum in US Beverages through portfolio innovation and go-to-market transformation. His experience across categories, geographies and functions enables him to approach the role with an end-to-end, consumer-first mindset.
Krishnan’s organisation will include:
- Rachel Ferdinando, who will remain CEO of the US Foods Category
- Mike Del Pozzo, who will be promoted to President of the US Beverages Category and will 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
Additional teams reporting to Krishnan include Foods and Beverages Field Sales; Strategic Partnerships and Franchise; the newly integrated Texoma region, where combined Foods and Beverages operations are being piloted; Global Foodservice; and PepsiCo Canada.
Athina Kanioura has also been appointed CEO of Latin America Foods, in addition to her role as Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, effective 28 December 2025. She will succeed Paula Santilli, who will retire after a distinguished 35-year career at PepsiCo. Under Santilli’s leadership, the Latin America team achieved significant growth and fostered a strong culture of talent development and inclusion. Santilli will remain with the company through July to support the transition.
Kanioura has played a key role in shaping PepsiCo’s strategy and leading its global capabilities transformation, bringing extensive experience in transformation and technology. Under her leadership, Latin America Foods will continue to innovate with digital-first solutions, leverage AI and pilot new culinary initiatives aimed at exciting consumers.
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