From First Gen to PepsiCo Exec to PhD: Meet GlobalMindED Board Member and Inclusive Leader, Dr. Paula Hopkins
What is your personal Story?
Last year I celebrated 30 years at PepsiCo. I have had the privilege to lead a variety of finance, operations, and sales roles in both field and headquarters. As Senior Director of Strategy, I provide ongoing strategic direction to support the organization with new initiatives and growth opportunities domestically and globally. I lead and give thought leadership on topics such as transformation, community partnerships, and next-generation opportunities.
I understand that my career is bigger than me or my work. Leaving my mark inside and outside of my organization is what matters. Maya Angelou said, "If you're going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can't be erased."
What does inclusive leadership mean to you?
Creating a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion where everyone feels ‘valued’ is key and has the greatest impact.
Maya said it best, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
What motivates you to work within racial equity at PepsiCo? What are some of your high-profile projects?
I have been involved in and led many instrumental diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across PepsiCo. My efforts have helped create a more equitable and inclusive culture, assisting a generation of professionals excelling in their careers at PepsiCo.
As the world changes around us, it's now more important than ever to stand up for issues that matter to people. I am afforded the opportunity to support some of the problems I am passionate about by serving on boards internally and externally. In addition to PepsiCo Beverages National Racial Equity Action Team, I support several boards such as GlobalMindED, Warrick Dunn Charities, Inc., Urban League of Louisiana, National Forum Black Public Administrators, Best Buddies, and 2020 Super Bowl Host Committee in Miami to, name a few.
What is the greatest vision within your role as a Transformational Executive for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?
I am excited that one of my strategic planks included delivering transformational change in PepsiCo’s Racial Equality Journey pillars for People, Business, and Community.
This is an area I am continuing to research and have a strong passion for. I have realized that when you can skillfully level the playing field, people will thrive and attain higher levels of leadership, creating equity for all, no matter the color of their skin or the zip code they come from.
An organization that figures out how to advance, recruit, motivate, and retain diverse leaders who are today's and tomorrow's leaders is not only the right thing to do but also the smart thing.
How could GlobalMindED further support the efforts that you are a part of?
Continue to provide networking opportunities in the form of mentoring and sponsorship. With the growing number of diverse employees entering the workforce, there is an expanded requirement for senior mentors of women and ethnic minorities to inspire these workers.
One challenge that I saw was the "lack of role models." My dissertation research showed that role models are incredibly effective in encouraging diverse leaders to make choices. There is no doubt that the power of visualization is strong. If diverse leaders aren't represented at the higher levels of an organization, it becomes difficult for others to identify themselves as capable of a seat at that table.
How do you become the leader you can't see? For this to happen, it requires a commitment on behalf of senior leadership to not only hire diverse employees but to engage, train, mentor, and sponsor them to take on future leadership roles.
Your dissertation was on "Impact and Influence: The Effect of Mentorship on Job Advancement among Executive Women." Tell us more.
My dissertation was about 'lived experiences, and the research study examined the impact and influence of the different types of mentoring (formal and informal). I examined the role of mentorship on job advancement. As an African-American woman in the corporate workplace, I recognize and appreciate, as is the case for many others at the top of their field; I am where I am because I had mentors that cared enough to support, develop and sponsor her.
My goal is always to be the reason someone feels welcomed, seen, heard, valued, loved, and supported.
In closing, I am truly very thankful, incredibly grateful, and unbelievably blessed to be on the GlobalMindED Board of Directors to make an impact and work alongside Carol and some of the best leaders in their respective fields. It is also a joy to work with GlobalMindED Young Professionals (grads of our programs) like Elsa Yehdego (class of 2018) and Charlyn Moss, as pictured at the GlobalMindED event at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
