PepsiCo Announces Senior Leadership Changes Across Global and Regional Roles

PepsiCo has unveiled a series of significant organisational changes aimed at strengthening global commercial execution and accelerating regional growth across key markets.

Steven Williams, who has served as CEO of PepsiCo North America over the past year, has been appointed Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman, Global Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and Corporate Affairs. Effective December 28, 2025, Williams will focus on building a unified global selling organisation, shaping a worldwide strategy to accelerate the company’s away-from-home business, and strengthening stakeholder engagement across the US and international markets.

Following Williams’ transition, Ram Krishnan will assume the role of CEO, PepsiCo North America, effective the same date. Krishnan will lead an ambitious agenda centred on deeper integration of the Foods and Beverages businesses where it delivers value, enabling PepsiCo to better serve consumers and customers. Most recently, Krishnan has driven strong momentum in US Beverages through portfolio innovation and go-to-market transformation, bringing a consumer-first, end-to-end perspective shaped by experience across categories, geographies, and functions.

Krishnan’s leadership team will include Rachel Ferdinando, who continues as CEO of the US Foods Category; Mike Del Pozzo, who will be promoted to President of the US Beverages Category and join the PepsiCo Executive Committee; Gregg Roden, who will continue to lead the North America Supply Chain; and Bryan Santee, who will serve as Chief Commercial Officer, US, leading commercial and go-to-market teams. Additional teams reporting to Krishnan will include Foods and Beverages Field Sales, Strategic Partnerships and Franchise, Global Foodservice, PepsiCo Canada, and the newly integrated Texoma region, where combined Foods and Beverages operations are being piloted.

In another key appointment, Athina Kanioura has been named CEO of Latin America Foods, in addition to her role as Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, effective December 28, 2025. She succeeds Paula Santilli, who will retire after a distinguished 35-year career with PepsiCo. Santilli will remain with the company through July to support a smooth transition.

During Santilli’s tenure, the Latin America business delivered strong growth while fostering a culture of inclusion and talent development. Kanioura, who has played a pivotal role in shaping PepsiCo’s global strategy and leading its capabilities transformation, brings deep expertise in transformation and technology. Under her leadership, Latin America Foods will continue to innovate through digital-first solutions, leverage AI, and pilot new culinary initiatives to enhance consumer engagement.