In the wake of our country nominating the first woman presidential candidate of a major political party, we decided to highlight some of the female leaders within our own industry. From vending services to the food and beverage business as a whole, executive positions at a variety of companies are held by women.
This is no small feat--the industry (beverage bottling in particular) was typically a "male-dominated, blue-collar job," says former CEO of Snapple Mike Weinstein.
But times have changed. Below are five high-level female executives that are leading the industry with poise.
1. Indra Nooyi, Chairman & CEO of PepsiCo
Nooyi is the fifth CEO in Pepsico's history. She's been working hard--and delivering--on her vision for healthier foods, environmental sustainability, and a more inclusive workplace. "Performance with Purpose," Nooyi explains, "means just what it says. It is delivering results in the right way, in a sustained way. It means we live our values and do so in a way that fuels our performance. We like to think of it as the way we strive to 'future-proof' of PepsiCo."
2. Kathy N. Waller, CFO of Coca-Cola
Kathy N. Waller has been with The Coca-Cola Company for nearly 30 years. She steadily climbed her way into executive leadership from starting out as a Senior Accountant. Waller is responsible for representing the company to investors and its global finance efforts.
3. Heidi Chico, CEO of the Wittern Group
Chico is now the CEO of the vending machine manufacturing company, that began 80 years ago by her grandfather. She also serves as the Chair Elect for the National Automatic Merchandizing Association's (NAMA) Board of Directors.
4. Irene Rosenfeld, Chairman & CEO of Mondelez International
Rosenfeld held senior leadership positions before Kraft Food Group had split, forming Mondelez, an international snack and candy company. She was instrumental in several mergers and acquisitions over the years, most notably for the Nabisco acquisition.
5. Jennifer Cue, CEO of Jones Soda
Before becoming CEO in 2012, Cue was responsible for strategic business consulting, private investment initiatives, and financial advising.
Frequently Asked Questions About Women Leaders
Who are some notable women leaders in the food and beverage and vending services industries?
Notable women leaders include Indra Nooyi, Chairman & CEO of PepsiCo; Kathy N. Waller, CFO of Coca-Cola; Heidi Chico, CEO of the Wittern Group; Irene Rosenfeld, Chairman & CEO of Mondelez International; and Jennifer Cue, CEO of Jones Soda.
What is Indra Nooyi known for in her leadership at PepsiCo?
Indra Nooyi is recognized for her vision of healthier foods, environmental sustainability, and fostering a more inclusive workplace. She promotes the concept of "Performance with Purpose," which focuses on delivering results in a sustainable and value-driven way.
How did Kathy N. Waller advance to her role at Coca-Cola?
Kathy N. Waller has been with The Coca-Cola Company for nearly 30 years, starting as a Senior Accountant and steadily advancing to executive leadership. She is responsible for representing the company to investors and managing global finance efforts.
What is Heidi Chico's role in the vending industry?
Heidi Chico is the CEO of the Wittern Group, a vending machine manufacturing company founded by her grandfather. She also serves as Chair Elect for the National Automatic Merchandizing Association's Board of Directors.
What contributions did Irene Rosenfeld make to Mondelez International?
Irene Rosenfeld held senior leadership roles before the formation of Mondelez International and was instrumental in mergers and acquisitions, including the notable Nabisco acquisition.
What was Jennifer Cue's background before becoming CEO of Jones Soda?
Before becoming CEO in 2012, Jennifer Cue was involved in strategic business consulting, private investment initiatives, and financial advising.
