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PepsiCo

PepsiCo integrates sustainability directly into its business strategy, working to leave a positive imprint on society and the environment. As one of our most committed corporate partners, the company works collaboratively with United Way to drive transformative change in North Texas.

During our Centennial year, PepsiCo played an outsized role in our historic impact and celebration. As sponsor of our Centennial Celebration, PepsiCo quite simply made our once-in-a-century “party with a purpose” happen. This extraordinary day was the culmination of the 100th United Way Annual Campaign year, highlighted by a series of special events, volunteer opportunities and collective impact—all of which celebrated our first 100 years of service to North Texas while looking ahead to our next century of impact. This momentous occasion, recognizing our collective impact in education, income and health, included a day of celebrations that reached its peak with an unforgettable live concert at the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium featuring global icon, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and philanthropist Janet Jackson and country superstar Blake Shelton.

In addition to our Centennial partnership, PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America and The PepsiCo Foundation played an instrumental role in the creation of Southern Dallas Thrives, an innovative set of programs that improves access to education, income and health in many of the communities PepsiCo employees call home. Founded in 2018, the strategic initiative creates measurable impact throughout Southern Dallas by improving the quality of early childcare centers, ensuring students are prepared for success in college or a career, expanding access to nutritious food and providing workforce development training and job placement assistance for women in high-growth industries.

In 2023, PepsiCo committed to expanding its impact in the southern sector, working with us to launch the Southern Dallas Thrives Fund. The ambitious initiative, which aims to raise $20 million to change even more lives in the community, is supported in part by PepsiCo employees and alumni. In addition to their commitment to Southern Dallas, Pepsi also hosts an annual Day of Caring. The company invites its employees to participate in a series of United Way volunteer events, giving them a compelling opportunity to be a part of the change in their community.

Our company is committed to the Dallas community, because while we recognize the systemic issues facing our community, we also recognize the measurable impact that only United Way of Metropolitan Dallas can deliver.
Steven Williams, CEO, PepsiCo Foods North America
2022-24 Chair, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Board

Partnership Spotlight: Investing in Southern Dallas

In 2018, leadership at PepsiCo took stock of the challenges and opportunities in Southern Dallas, where many of their team members live and work. Thirty percent of residents there lived in poverty, more than 90% of students were disadvantaged and at least 45% of children were not kindergarten ready.

With a vision of creating opportunities for southern sector families and growing the workforce of tomorrow, PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America and the PepsiCo Foundation partnered with United Way to launch Southern Dallas Thrives, which drives strategic, targeted impact to the communities of Southern Dallas. Since its inception, the initiative has impacted tens of thousands of individuals, advancing long-term, sustainable economic mobility for a growing number of Southern Dallas families. 

Deepening Our Collective Impact

In 2023, the PepsiCo team saw a unique opportunity to create an even greater impact in Southern Dallas—and to welcome more of its team members into this important work. We worked closely with PepsiCo to launch the Southern Dallas Thrives Fund, with a goal of raising $20 million to address the short- and long-term challenges of Southern Dallas communities. The fund is generously supported in part by current and retired PepsiCo Foods North America employees and is poised to make a significant impact in the years to come.

Leading the Change

PepsiCo leadership has a long history of investing in lasting change with United Way.
  • Steven Williams
    CEO, PepsiCo Foods North America
    2024-2025 Chair, United Way Centennial, United Way Centennial CEO Advisory Council Member, 2022-24 Chair, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Board; 2024-25 United Way Campaign Chair
  • Ron Parker
    Senior Vice President, HR (retired), PepsiCo
    United Way Foundation Board member
  • Dave Rader
    Executive Vice President (retired), PepsiCo
    United Way Foundation Board member
  • Christy Jacoby
    Chief Financial Officer, PepsiCo Global Business Services
    United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Board member

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