Leslie Vesper is an accomplished marketing executive with over two decades of experience driving innovation, brand growth, and strategic leadership across the food and beverage industry. Currently serving as Vice President of Marketing at PepsiCo Foods North America, Leslie leads high-performing teams and spearheads marketing strategies that deliver significant business results. Her expertise spans brand management, innovation, consumer insights, and large-scale commercialization, making her a dynamic leader in the competitive consumer-packaged goods (CPG) space.

Leslie’s tenure at Frito-Lay, a division of PepsiCo, has been defined by her visionary leadership and ability to translate consumer trends into powerful brand opportunities. Since stepping into the role of Vice President of Brand Marketing in 2022, Leslie has been instrumental in strengthening iconic brands and accelerating growth through bold, consumer-centric campaigns. Previously, she held the role of Vice President of Marketing Innovation, where she guided a pipeline of product advancements that cemented Frito-Lay’s reputation as an industry leader in snacking innovation.

Her impact extends beyond traditional marketing as she has held roles such as Senior Director of Portfolio Innovation and Senior Director of Marketing for Doritos, one of Frito-Lay’s flagship brands. Under her leadership, Doritos experienced remarkable market performance, showcasing Leslie’s ability to create cultural relevance and engagement among diverse consumer segments.

Before joining Frito-Lay, Leslie cultivated a distinguished career across other Fortune 500 companies, including Dr Pepper Snapple Group, General Mills, and Nestlé USA. At Dr Pepper Snapple Group, she drove transformational product launches and achieved notable success with innovation efforts that generated sustained growth for legacy brands. Her ability to commercialize products with precision and foresight was demonstrated through the development of a five-year innovation roadmap for Dr Pepper and the successful launch of key offerings. Similarly, her time at General Mills saw her overseeing major product innovations, such as the launch of Chocolate Cheerios, a concept that became a standout success in the ready-to-eat cereal category.

Leslie’s professional journey is underscored by a track record of building strong cross-functional teams and aligning organizations behind compelling brand strategies. She is adept at managing large-scale budgets, fostering collaboration, and mentoring emerging leaders. Her ability to balance creativity with disciplined execution has consistently resulted in measurable business success, including market share growth, brand loyalty, and revenue acceleration.

Leslie holds a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Business from Miami University. Her education laid the foundation for her analytical and strategic acumen, which she has applied throughout her diverse and impressive career.

A leader with an unparalleled passion for innovation, Leslie Vesper is known for her ability to inspire teams, navigate complex business challenges, and deliver impactful results. Her leadership at PepsiCo Foods North America reflects her commitment to elevating brands and driving forward-thinking marketing solutions in an ever-evolving industry.

• Character: Leslie Vesper is a results-driven leader known for her integrity, collaborative spirit, and ability to inspire high-performing teams.
• Knowledge: With over two decades of experience, Leslie possesses deep expertise in marketing, innovation, and brand strategy within the food and beverage industry.
• Strategic: Leslie excels at developing and executing forward-thinking strategies that drive brand growth, market leadership, and revenue acceleration.
• Communication: A dynamic communicator, Leslie effectively aligns cross-functional teams and conveys compelling narratives that resonate with consumers and stakeholders.