Target taps ex-PepsiCo executive Grace Puma for board

Target Corp. has named former PepsiCo executive Grace Puma as a new director on its board.

Puma most recently retired from her role as executive vice president and chief operations officer at PepsiCo. In that post at the Purchase, N.Y.-based beverage and food giant, she led global operations, global procurement, employee health and safety, global security and holistic cost management.

Minneapolis-based Target said Puma (pictured left), elected by the board on Aug. 10, starts the role effective immediately and will serve on the audit and risk and the infrastructure and finance committees.

“Grace brings a deep understanding of the complexities of the global operating environment, the consumer landscape and the guests we serve. Her knowledge of supply chain, procurement and operations will provide valuable insights that complement current board strengths, and her leadership acumen and perspective will further position Target for growth and success in the evolving marketplace,” Target Chairman and CEO Brian Cornell said in a statement. “I’m pleased to welcome Grace to Target and am confident in the expertise she will bring to our board.”

In 12 years at PepsiCo, Puma held a range of executive leadership roles, including as senior vice president and chief supply officer and as senior vice president and global chief procurement officer. During her tenure at PepsiCo, the company generated more than $75 billion in net revenue through 2021, Target reported.

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Before joining PepsiCo, Puma served as senior vice president and global chief procurement officer at United Airlines. In addition, she worked in various leadership roles at Kraft Foods, including as vice president of global indirect materials and services procurement. She currently serves on the boards of Organon & Co., a global women's health care company, and previously served as a board member for Williams-Sonoma Inc. and Marietta Corp.

Target noted that Puma was ranked on the “Most Powerful Latina” list by Fortune magazine in 2017, 2018 and 2019, and she was named to the inaugural “Most Powerful Latinas Hall of Fame” by the Association of Latino Professionals in 2021. ExecRanks (now AdvisoryCloud) also recognized Puma as the No. 4 Chief Procurement Officer in 2013.