Dr. Paula Hopkins, Pepsi Beverages North America: Sr. Director of Strategy
An executive leader brings over 29 years of leadership, sales, strategy, and operations experience. Paula has led a variety of finance, operations, and sales roles in both field and headquarters at PepsiCo.
She is currently responsible for providing ongoing strategic direction to support the organization with new initiatives and growth opportunities in her current role. Key focus areas include delivering transformational change in PepsiCo’s Racial Equality Journey pillars for People, Business, and Community. Lead compelling thought leadership on topics such as transformation, community partnerships, and next-generation opportunities.
Paula completed her doctorate at Rollins Crummer graduate school, where she will defend her dissertation: Impact and Influence: The Effect of Mentorship on Job Advancement among Executive Women. Her dissertation examined the role of mentorship on job advancement among executive women, particularly Women of Color women. She holds a Master’s of Business Administration from the Crummer Graduate School at Rollins College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rollins College. She also earned her LSS-Green Belt from Purdue University in 2021.
Paula has been instrumental in leading many diversity and inclusion efforts across PepsiCo. She currently sits on the PepsiCo Beverages National Taskforce for the Racial Equality Journey. Her efforts have helped create a more equitable and inclusive culture, assisting a generation of professionals to excel in their careers at PepsiCo. She also serves on several boards, both internally and externally. Board seats include PepsiCo Beverages National Racial Equity Board, Warrick Dunn Charities, Inc., Urban League of Louisiana, National Forum Black Public Administrators, Best Buddies, Miami Beach Chamber, and the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee.