Chris Knox is the director of supplier diversity and strategic supply management at PepsiCo. He is responsible for advancing the development and utilization of certified minority and women-owned businesses across PepsiCo and its affiliates.

In 2009, the company purchased about $1.3 billion of goods and services from certified MWBEs. Despite the difficult economy, the volume grew from $1.2 billion in 2008, PepsiCo’s sixth straight year of double-digit percent growth inclusive of tier one and two spend.

Additionally, under Knox’s leadership, PepsiCo won 14 national and regional awards in 2009 for its supplier diversity efforts, including a number of prestigious titles in recognition of its exemplary efforts and commitment, including being named the NMSDC’s 2009 corporation of the year and one of America’s top corporations for women business enterprises by WBENC.

To “win with diversity and inclusion” is a guiding principle in Knox’s work at a program established in 1982 and PepsiCo’s statement of core values.

Quote: “It is not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the man (or woman) who is actually in the arena… and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly…” - by Theodore Roosevelt

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