Business leader Nooyi tells students ‘education is a forever commitment’
Indra Nooyi led PepsiCo to long-term profitable growth while introducing new, healthier products, leaving a huge positive impact on society and the environment.
But to hear her tell The University of Texas at Arlington Maverick Speakers Series audience on March 21 at Texas Hall, one of the strongest moves she made as CEO of the food and beverage giant was a letter-writing campaign—not to senior executives at PepsiCo, but to their parents.
“At first, I wrote to the parents of the 16 executives on my staff,” Nooyi said. “The second two paragraphs were personal about what they did for me and the company. I always finished thanking them for their gift to me and to PepsiCo. I carbon-copied to those senior executives.”
She said the letters made a huge difference in the culture and morale of the workplace.
“I realized what an emotional outburst it created when visiting Dubai—this executive’s entire community felt like they had played a part in PepsiCo’s success,” Nooyi said.
Nooyi attributes the impetus for the idea to her family. “I hit the lottery with my parents,” she said during a question-and-answer dialogue with UTA President Jennifer Cowley.
Nooyi, who was chair and CEO of PepsiCo from 2006-19, is also a New York Times bestselling author and revered role model for women and immigrants. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Academy of Science and the American Philosophical Society. She has been on Fortune magazine’s annual list of “Most Powerful Women” on several occasions and received similar accolades from other publications, including Forbes’ list of “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.”
Nooyi and her husband, Raj, established the Raj and Indra Nooyi Endowed Distinguished Chair in Bioengineering at UTA. Raj Nooyi, a recipient of the 2017 UTA Distinguished Alumni Award, graduated from the University in 1978 with a master’s degree in industrial engineering.
Nooyi urged the UTA students in the audience to make learning a lifelong endeavor.
“You have a support structure and advising process,” she said. “Just realize that when you come to UTA your education is just starting. The world is changing so quickly. Education is a forever commitment. It never stops.”
Nooyi told the students to remain curious and to keep active. She also said to consider giving back, especially to UT Arlington.
“Come back. Take time to talk to students. Share ideas,” she said. “Give back to the university.”