Brenda Czajka Barnes (November 11, 1953 – January 17, 2017) was an American businesswoman who served as president, chairman and chief executive of Sara Lee, and was the first female CEO at PepsiCo.
Finally, in 1996, she became president and CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America, a job she left in 1997 to spend more time with her family, a move that made national headlines.
[2][1][4] After PepsiCo, she spent time as interim president and COO of Starwood, from November 1999 to March 2000, and as an adjunct professor, Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and at North Central College in 2002.
Barnes was on the board of directors of Avon Products, Inc.; Augustana College; Grocery Manufacturers Association; LucasFilm, Ltd.; The New York Times Company; PepsiAmericas, Inc.; Sara Lee Corporation; Sears, Roebuck & Co.; and Staples, Inc. She was also on the steering Committee of the Kellogg Center for Executive Women, Northwestern University.
[6] Brenda joined the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago in 2014 as a distinguished member on the Board of Directors and the Identity Cabinet committee to help form and build the hospital branding and positioning.
Barnes told Shelley Donald Coolidge of the Christian Science Monitor, "My parents gave me a strong work ethic and the ability to listen to people and value what they have to say and do.