ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Indra Nooyi to address UConn graduates
She led PepsiCo’s shift toward healthier products while growing revenues significantly during her tenure as CEO.
-
Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 30, Apr 2026
- 14:49 EDT
- 20
Indra Nooyi / Image : Facebook
The University of Connecticut named Indra Nooyi as the 2026 commencement speaker for its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the ceremony.
Nooyi, an Indian-born American business executive, served as chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018, leading a period of sustained growth and strategic restructuring.
Also Read: Indra Nooyi to receive Amherst honorary degree
During her tenure, the company’s revenues grew by more than 80 percent as she steered a shift toward healthier product portfolios and long-term sustainability goals through the “Performance with Purpose” framework, which integrated profitability with environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
She joined PepsiCo in 1994 after early roles at Johnson & Johnson and Boston Consulting Group, and held several senior leadership positions before becoming CEO. Her tenure also saw key acquisitions and portfolio diversification efforts aimed at reducing reliance on carbonated beverages and expanding into nutrition-focused segments.
Nooyi has consistently been ranked among the world’s most powerful women by Forbes and Fortune. She also served on the boards of Amazon and the International Cricket Council, among others.
She is among several speakers invited across multiple commencement ceremonies at UConn, which the university said bring “experience, insight, and wisdom” from diverse fields to graduating students.
In addition to her corporate career, Nooyi has been involved in philanthropic and advisory roles, advocating for education, public health, and leadership development. Her recognition by the university, it said, reflects a career that combines corporate performance with a broader focus on societal impact.
The ceremonies are scheduled for May 10 at Gampel Pavilion.
Additionally, Indra Nooyi will also receive an honorary degree from Amherst College during its commencement ceremony on May 23.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login