For the first time in my career, I was sitting and interviewing someone that wasn’t looking at me with the hopes that I would extend a job offer to them shortly after our discussion was complete. It was an interesting switch in that while I wasn’t hunting for examples that would allow me to discover if this person would be a good addition to one of teams I was building or staffing (this person was already employed by us) I found that I was still probing for more information, asking for real world examples and yes, hanging on every word. Why? Because I think that for me, genuine interviews – regardless of what type – are about connecting with someone and learning more about them as a person.In this instance, it was my pleasure last week to be able to catch up with Marie Quintana, PepsiCo’s VP of Multicultural Sales as part of a “People of PepsiCo” approach that you’ll be seeing much more of over the next few weeks and months.
Having joined PepsiCo in 1998, Marie has held other executive positions including VP of Technology and VP of IT Capability. As a member of PepsiCo’s global Diversity and Inclusion Council, the Latino Executive Council and a founding member of the Women of Color Alliance, she promotes community service among the company’s Employee Resource Groups.
After just a few moments talking with her, it was plain to see that she strikes an amazing balance between being a mother of three and her various boards and professional responsibilities from our Plano, TX offices. Hear what she had to say:
Marie, how do aspects of who you are – Cuba native, Spanish speaker and resident of a state with a flourishing Hispanic population – add meaning and credibility to your role at PepsiCo?
Well, Chris – I was born in Cuba and came to the United States at a time when Hispanics were a very small percent of the total US population. As an immigrant that has experienced that change in our country, I’m able to understand how other immigrants have had to navigate and live in two cultures simultaneously. I’m very proud to work for a company like PepsiCo, a company that really does encourage you to bring your ‘whole self’ to work, where your cultural differences are an asset to your contributions and where you are able to lead in a very transparent and authentic way.
You serve on the board of the Network of Executive Women for Consumer Products and Retail, were selected among the Top 5 Latina Executives of the Year by LatinaStyle and were recently named one of the Top Women in Grocery by Progressive Grocer magazine.
What do you feel it takes for women to be successful in business, and how is this reconciled with raising a family and achieving work-life balance?
I think the first most important driver for anyone should be performance, making sure they are focused on doing the best job they can. I think it is important to have a personal brand, an identity that allows you to add value in a very unique way. I have made it my purpose and my passion to work with partners, retailers and non-profit organizations to embrace the multicultural consumer and create programs that build lasting relationships. Your job should connect with your own purpose and when it does, this positive energy will help you to make the right decisions in your personal life.My family is the most important part of my life. You have to be present in the moment, know what is important to each of your kids and truly be there for them. This is my “true north.” What keeps me moving forward is the knowledge that I’m helping my kids to grow and to feel comfortable using the gifts that they have been given in the best way possible. Balance is a commitment to live your life through purpose and to be truly present in the moment.
You’ve been recognized for your work by industry peers as a well as multicultural and female empowerment groups. What accomplishment to date are you most proud of?
I am the most proud of my participation in the Woman Of Color Alliance. A small group of women and I founded this alliance for PepsiCo about 5 years ago. It consisted of a few others that wanted to collaborate and truly support other women like ourselves. We identified learning and development opportunities and partnered to deliver a program called Power Pairs. The program allowed employees to spend a day with their manager in an authentic conversation and encourage the commitment of both participants towards a supportive and professional relationship. It was an honor to have received the Catalyst award as a result of our efforts and I believe that I’ll always look at this alliance as part of my legacy at PepsiCo.
How have you experienced the “Possibilities…” of PepsiCo?
Having the ability to communicate to the Hispanic community in my first language [Spanish] and being able share that we have a mission that is driven by our belief in Performance with Purpose is a powerful thing for me. The fact that we give back to our communities in big ways and that all of us, at every level, are encouraged to lead through passion and authenticity is a real motivator.I think that my love for working with our Employee Resource Groups and harnessing their energy and passion for business development is only matched by the excitement that is unleashed when my peers and team members around the world bring their own personal passion, culture and traditions to the workplace. When you can connect your purpose or passion to your job, it’s one of the most amazing possibilities anyone could hope to have available to them.
