Paula Santilli, CEO of PepsiCo Latin America, named in Fortune’s international list of the 50 Most Powerful Women
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- Paula Santilli has been named in Fortune’s international list of the 50 Most Powerful Women, ranking #41, in recognition of her work as a business leader and how she has used her power to help others during the pandemic.
Paula Santilli, CEO of PepsiCo Latin America, has been named in Fortune’s list of the 50 Most Powerful Women, at #41, one place higher than last year.
This year, as well as the four criteria normally considered (the size and importance of the woman’s business in the global economy; the health and direction of that business; career trajectory; and social and cultural influence), Fortune added a new one: how these executives use their power for good, to shape their company and the wider world.
Paula Santilli has shown what it means to be a business leader in a context marked by a global pandemic that has posed major personal and professional challenges but has also brought great lessons and opportunities.
Since the start of the pandemic, she has used her influence not only to ensure business continuity, but to personally guarantee the safety and protection of employees and their families through safety and hygiene protocols; medical care for more than 70,000 employees across the region; benefits and salary protection for those considered vulnerable; and emotional care and guidance.
As part of PepsiCo LatAm’s efforts to help communities affected by the pandemic, the PepsiCo Foundation donated US$6.7 million to help vulnerable children and their families who depend on school meals for their nutrition. Through this donation, 11 million meals are being delivered in 15 Latin American countries.
During the pandemic, Paula Santilli has championed initiatives to support the reopening of “tienditas” and small shops in countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala and Peru, among others, as part of her personal mission to help reactivate the region’s economy.
Paula has also been recognised for her work on behalf of women across the region through her tireless efforts to accelerate their professional development and help as many women as possible overcome the complex challenges they face during the pandemic. The publication of her book “El Poder de Poder. Mujeres Construyendo Latinoamérica” (The Power of Being Able: Women Building Latin America), with Mónica Bauer, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at PepsiCo LatAm, and executive coach Marty Seldman, is part of her commitment to this agenda.
Paula Santilli is one of two Latin American women representing the region on Fortune’s International Most Powerful Women list.
About PepsiCo Latin America
PepsiCo Latin America is a sector of the company that includes all food and beverage businesses in Latin America, covering 34 emerging and developing markets. Our business units in the sector include snacks, beverages, sweet and savoury biscuits and nutrition, which generated USD 7.6 billion in net revenue in 2019. Our beverage business in the region operates through 13 major bottlers.