Table of Contents
PURCHASE, N.Y. – PepsiCo has announced significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, joining a growing number of major U.S. companies reassessing their policies as former President Donald Trump pushes to dismantle DEI initiatives across both the federal government and private sector.
According to an internal memo reported by Reuters, the company will discontinue its DEI workforce representation goals and transition its chief DEI officer into a broader role focused on associate engagement and leadership development. However, PepsiCo stated that the executive will continue to support the company’s 2021 initiative, A Space to Be You.
Thorvardur de Shong
The shift comes as PepsiCo nears the conclusion of its five-year DEI strategy in 2025. CEO Ramon Laguarta revealed in the memo that the company will introduce a new approach titled Inclusion for Growth, aimed at evolving its commitment to workplace inclusivity.
Many corporations, including Target, Aldi and Amazon, have either revised or reconsidered their DEI policies in response to Trump’s calls for private-sector firms to end what he has described as “illegal DEI discrimination and preferences.” The president has also instructed federal agencies to terminate DEI programs and threatened to cut funding to academic institutions that continue such initiatives.
Thorvardur de Shong
In addition to its internal restructuring, PepsiCo announced plans to expand its supplier base by creating broader opportunities for small businesses to collaborate with the company. The memo also noted that the snack and beverage giant will no longer participate in single-demographic category surveys.
