By J Nastranis
NEW YORK (IDN) – Asia Society, in partnership with Citi, has announced the Indian-born Indra K. Nooyi as Game Changer of the Year for 2018 in recognition of her “life-saving collaboration with the United Nations on food, nutrition, global water, climate, and women’s empowerment issues.”
Asia Society President and CEO Josette Sheeran – also UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ Special Envoy for Haiti since June 2017 – said: “In my United Nations work, I have witnessed firsthand her (Nooyi’s) humanitarian leadership.” She described her as “truly a transformational leader.”
Nooyi leads a slate of groundbreaking women, including a team of Afghan girls who have made waves at international robotics competitions and Mira Rai, a record-shattering runner from a small village in Nepal, who is also an inspiration for millions of girls and young women, Asia Society said in a press release.
Nooyi, who recently announced she would be stepping down as CEO of PepsiCo, “has driven one of the world’s most iconic global companies into the future, leading the way when it comes to delivering strong financial performance, while making more nutritious products and advancing women’s access and excellence in Asia and around the world,” the press release added.
Nooyi was PepsiCo’s first-ever female CEO, joining only a handful of women as leaders of Fortune 500 companies. During her 12-year tenure, she not only established initiatives to meet the changing demands of consumers, increased the company’s net revenue more than 80 percent, and saw share price nearly double, Asia Society said.
Nooyi also led efforts – such as Women With Purpose and Spark A Future – to empower millions of women and girls through education, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities.
Under her leadership, PepsiCo was consistently rated among the top workplaces for women. She also transformed PepsiCo into a more environmentally sustainable and health-conscious company, the press release added.
Nooyi leads a group of other revolutionary women as Asia Society’s Game Changers at a time when their issues and voices are at the forefront of public discourse. The recipients of 2018 Asia Game Changer Awards are individuals and institutions who have broken barriers, defined courage, worked miracles, and in turn inspired their fellow citizens of the world.
“It is a crucial moment to honor women from Asia who have battled the odds to shatter glass ceilings, opening pathways for a new generation of women to thrive and prosper,” said Sheeran. “In addition, we honor those who are devoting their own lives to improve and save the lives of others. Humanity owes them a debt of gratitude and we are so honored to recognize their works of passion and compassion. We are proud to be a part of their journey.”
This year marks the fifth iteration of the Asia Game Changer Awards, and the fifth time that Asia Society and Citi have given prominence to Asia-Pacific individuals and organizations who are making indelibly positive differences in the lives of others.
The Game Changer Award Honorees include: the Thai rescuers who saved a dozen teenage soccer players in a flooded cave; the Japanese first responders who risked their lives following the tsunami and nuclear disaster at Fukushima; and the founder of the Syrian White Helmets, whose volunteers are among the few “first responders” remaining in that country.
Other awardees are: a global champion for “green cities”, Wang Shi of China; Dr. Munjed Al Muderis, a pioneering surgeon who has brought new hope for amputees; and the founders of Koolulam – a musical phenomenon that aims to bridge the most difficult ethnic and religious divides.
The awards will be presented at the 5th Annual Asia Game Changer Awards Dinner and Celebration in New York City on October 9, 2018. [IDN-InDepthNews – 25 August 2018]
Photo: PepsiCo Sustainable Agriculture’s Water Project uses technology and agricultural skills to reduce global water use. Credit: PepsiCo
IDN is flagship agency of the International Press Syndicate.
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