[16] When Nooyi and her sister were between eight and 11 years old, their mother instructed them to write a speech about what they would do if they held a position of power such as president or prime minister.

While attending Yale School of Management, Nooyi completed a summer internship with Booz Allen Hamilton.

Nooyi directed the company's global strategy for more than a decade and led PepsiCo's restructuring, including the 1997 divestiture of Tricon, now known as Yum!

[24] The financial gains from this spinoff allowed the company to increase the pace of its share buyback strategy, thereby giving it more leverage to pursue future acquisitions without as much shareholder backlash.

[27] The $3.3 billion acquisition of Tropicana initially faced opposition from other PepsiCo executives and Wall Street critics.

[29] Similar to the Tropicana acquisition, this strategic move gave PepsiCo leverage against Coca-Cola, owner of Powerade – second in the sports drink segment.

[38] Nooyi's strategic redirection of PepsiCo was called "Performance with a Purpose,"[39] focused on creating long-term growth while leaving a positive impact on society and the environment.

She moved corporate spending away from junk foods and into the healthier alternatives, with the aim of improving the healthiness of even "fun" offerings.

[38] Nooyi also focused on environmental concerns and sustainability, redesigning packaging to reduce waste, conserving water, switching to renewable energy sources, and recycling.

[44] In 2018, Nooyi stated an intent to develop a line of snacks marketed specifically for women, feeling that it was a hitherto unexplored category.

[45] At one point, PepsiCo even considered changing its name and move away from its namesake cola, but the health push faltered.

[46] On August 6, 2018, Nooyi stepped down as CEO, and Ramon Laguarta, a 22-year veteran of PepsiCo, replaced her on October 3, as well as becoming a member of the board of directors.

[50] In April 2020, it was announced that Nooyi – along with Yale epidemiologist Dr. Albert Ko – would represent Connecticut on the six-state working group planning for the careful easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Nooyi leads USIBC's Board of Directors, an assembly of more than 60 senior executives representing a cross-section of American industry.

[72] In February 2020, Nooyi was honored with the Outstanding Woman in Business award by the League of Women Voters of Connecticut.

[88] She is a member of the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum, International Rescue Committee, Catalyst[89] and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

[92] In December 2016, Nooyi joined a business forum assembled by Donald Trump to provide strategic and policy advice on economic issues.

[93] In June 2018, Nooyi joined the International Cricket Council Board as the organization's first independent female director.