Anne Fink, president of global foodservice for PepsiCo, delivered the commencement address to bachelor's degree recipients at the New York campus of The Culinary Institute of America on July 25. Ms. Fink oversees sales, marketing, strategy, and operations for all channels of foodservice—which includes restaurants, workplace, healthcare, lodging, travel and leisure, colleges and universities, schools, foodservice retail, and convenience—both in North America and all over the world. All of this encompasses a portfolio of beverage, snack, and food brands including Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Lipton Iced Tea, Aquafina, Lay's, Doritos, Gatorade, Quaker, Tropicana, and many more.
"While you may be leaving school today for the last time, that does not mean your education is complete," Ms. Fink told the 109 newest CIA graduates. "You will meet many, many people over the course of your careers, and they will all have something to teach you. Soak up everything you can, from everyone you can—bosses, colleagues, professors, business partners, customers, and clients."
Ms. Fink has held several leadership positions in her time with the Purchase, NY-based PepsiCo. She assumed her current title in 2016.
Anne Fink serves on the board of the National Restaurant Association and as a trustee of her alma mater, the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. She is a former board member of the Network of Executive Women, Industry Affairs Council of the Grocery Manufacturers of America, and the Food Marketing Institute Foundation. Ms. Fink is also an executive sponsor for Pinnacle, PepsiCo's women's leadership program, and executive sponsor for PepsiCo's engagement with the Susan G. Komen Greater New York City Race for the Cure.
In a separate ceremony the following day, the CIA bestowed associate degrees upon graduates of the college's School of Culinary Arts and School of Baking & Pastry Arts.
The entire CIA bachelor's commencement ceremony, including Ms. Fink's address to recipients of degrees in Food Business Management, Culinary Science, and Applied Food Studies, can be seen online.
