Rachel Ferdinando: Trailblazing CEO of PepsiCo Foods U.S.

Rachel Ferdinando is a name that resonates strongly in the world of global business leadership, marketing innovation, and brand transformation. As the CEO of PepsiCo Foods U.S., she oversees some of the most iconic food brands in the world while inspiring thousands of professionals through her dynamic career journey and commitment to purpose-driven growth. This article dives deep into her background, career milestones, leadership philosophy, achievements, and personal life.

Early Life and Education of Rachel Ferdinando

Academic Foundation at Imperial College London

Rachel Ferdinando’s educational journey began at Imperial College London, where she earned a B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry with First Class distinction. She also participated in a year of study at ENSCBP in Bordeaux, France, focusing on organic chemistry. This scientific background provided her with analytical and problem-solving skills that would later become crucial in her corporate leadership roles.

Rachel Ferdinando’s Career Path

Early Career at GlaxoSmithKline and SmithKline Beecham

Rachel began her professional career in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector with SmithKline Beecham Corporation, which later merged with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). She held multiple positions including Brand Manager, Senior Brand Manager, and eventually rose to Vice President roles.

Her leadership at GSK spanned nearly 16 years, during which she managed categories like digestive health, weight control, and consumer healthcare. She also gained global exposure, working in the UK, North America, and Asia, including a tenure as Vice President & General Manager for Malaysia and Brunei.

Leadership at Kimberly-Clark

In 2015, Rachel moved to Kimberly-Clark as Global Sector Leader for Family Care, overseeing household brands like Kleenex, Andrex, Scott, and Cottonelle. She directed a $6.5 billion portfolio, demonstrating her ability to manage multinational consumer goods businesses and drive profit growth on a global scale.

Rachel Ferdinando at PepsiCo

Rise Through PepsiCo Ranks

Rachel joined PepsiCo in 2017 and quickly climbed the leadership ladder. Her early roles included:

• Vice President, Marketing Core Brands, Media & Digital (2017–2019)

• Senior Vice President, Core Brands, Media, Portfolio & Partnerships (2019–2022)

• Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer of Frito-Lay North America (2019–2022)

During her tenure as CMO, she oversaw a $16 billion snack division, leading marketing for powerhouse brands such as Doritos, Lay’s, and Cheetos. She was also behind award-winning campaigns like the Cheetos “Can’t Touch This” campaign, which won a Cannes Lions Grand Prix for Creative Strategy.

President of PepsiCo Foods Canada

From July 2022 to December 2024, Rachel served as President of PepsiCo Foods Canada. She managed the entire Canadian portfolio, which included both Frito-Lay and Quaker Canada. With full P&L responsibility, she directed operations across HR, finance, supply chain, marketing, IT, and R&D.

CEO of PepsiCo Foods U.S.

In January 2025, Rachel achieved her current role as CEO of PepsiCo Foods U.S., one of the company’s most significant divisions, generating more than $21 billion in net revenue in 2023.

Her responsibilities include:

• Leading over 60,000 associates and 500 U.S. locations

• Driving strategy for iconic brands such as Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Tostitos, Quaker Oats, Ruffles, Stacy’s, SunChips, and Fritos

• Accelerating category leadership and consumer engagement

• Bringing to life PepsiCo’s purpose-driven initiative, pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), which emphasizes sustainability and community impact

Honors and Achievements of Rachel Ferdinando

Rachel Ferdinando has earned global recognition for her leadership and marketing expertise:

• World’s Most Influential CMOs – Forbes (2021)

• Most Innovative CMOs – Business Insider (2021)

• Cannes Lions Grand Prix – Creative Strategy (2021) for Cheetos campaign

• Ad Age Brand Marketer of the Year (2019)

• Marketer of the Year – The Drum (2020)

• Female Frontier Awards – Breaking Brand Barriers (2020)

• Outstanding Marketer of the Year Finalist – PR Week (2020)

• Women in Business Award – Dallas Business Journal (2020)

These accolades highlight her influence not only in marketing but also as a leader who empowers change and innovation.

Rachel Ferdinando’s Leadership Style

Purpose-Driven Growth

Rachel is deeply committed to pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), the company’s framework for sustainability and social responsibility. She emphasizes that businesses must play a role in driving positive action for the planet and society.

Innovation and Consumer Focus

Her career has been defined by her ability to blend creativity with strategy. Whether launching disruptive advertising campaigns or expanding brand portfolios, Rachel has consistently placed the consumer at the center of every decision.

Empowering Teams

Rachel leads with inclusivity, ensuring that teams across geographies and functions are aligned and motivated. With her international background, she brings a global mindset to PepsiCo’s U.S. operations.

Personal Life of Rachel Ferdinando

Outside of her corporate success, Rachel Ferdinando values her family life. She resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband and their two children. Colleagues often describe her as balancing high-level corporate leadership with strong family values.

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Conclusion: Rachel Ferdinando’s Lasting Impact

Rachel Ferdinando’s journey from a chemistry student at Imperial College London to becoming the CEO of PepsiCo Foods U.S. is nothing short of inspirational. With over two decades of leadership across healthcare, consumer goods, and now food and beverages, she has proven herself to be a visionary leader, an award-winning marketer, and a role model for women in business.

Her work continues to redefine how iconic brands engage with consumers while also pushing PepsiCo to take greater responsibility for sustainability and community impact. Rachel Ferdinando exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose, passion, and global influence.