Brenda Barnes.

• Author: Alioto, Maryann
• Position: Former president and CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America

As a business leader or stay-at-home mom, the former Pepsi executive's business instincts are much needed in the boardroom.

In January 1998, Brenda Barnes stepped down as president and CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America in order to spend more time with her family. In doing so, the 44-year-old executive left behind an annual salary of approximately $2 million and a stellar career track at PepsiCo. Her retirement also sparked a debate in the business community between those who applauded Barnes' commitment to her family and those who criticized her choice as an affront to the ambitions of career women.

By her own admission, Barnes has turned down many interviews with the press regarding her retirement. Instead, she stands by her decision with a quiet dignity. In a recent interview with DIRECTORS & BOARDS, she says that she considers herself very blessed to have a great family and is appreciative of those who have given her support. "Hopefully, I am still a productive person to society," she says, "raising children and serving on boards."

Barnes is a four-year veteran of the Avon Products board. She joined the board of Sears, Roebuck & Co. in December 1997. Then in April of this year, she added directorships at Starwood Hotels & Resorts and New York Times Co. Merle Pollak, executive director of corporate board placement at Catalyst, an organization that helps women advance in Corporate America, feels that Barnes' new directorships had nothing to do with her controversial decision to leave Pepsi. "She was just too busy," explains Pollak. "Now that she has retired she has the opportunity to commit to some of these boards." Pollak also expressed Catalyst's support regarding Barnes' decision to retire from her full-time position. Regarding those who questioned her decision, "they would not do this if this was a man who retired," says Pollak. "After all, she earned the choice to spend more time with her family."

When Barnes joined PepsiCo some 22 years ago, she was earning just $10,000 per year. In 1981 she became vice president of marketing at Frito-Lay Co. By 1993 she was COO of Pepsi-Cola North America and was elected CEO in 1996. During her time as president and CEO of this $3 billion business, she oversaw the acquisition of several bottling operations which tripled sales and increased Pepsi's ownership of its U.S. bottling plants.

Barnes says Craig Weatherup, chairman and CEO of Pepsi-Cola Co., was one of the greatest influences on her life...