PepsiCo’s Emily Silver On Working With Susan G. Komen & Its Greater NYC Race For The Cure
On September 8th, the Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race For The Cure took place in New York City’s Central Park. Meanwhile, PepsiCo celebrated its 11th straight year as one of the event’s largest corporate partners. To date, Team PepsiCo and its 1,000+ members have raised over $1.5 million for Susan G. Komen in support of national breast cancer research, providing local breast health programs for medically underserved women and their families. Especially of note is that the $1.5 million contributed in donations was largely sourced from PepsiCo employees’ giving and fundraising, which speaks to the great heart this important cause holds within the PepsiCo community.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Emily Silver — PepsiCo’s Susan G. Komen Chair for the second year, who is serves as Vice President of Innovation & Capabilities for PepsiCo — in advance of this year’s Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race For The Cure event, and highlights from such are below.
How did you wind up working with PepsiCo?
Emily Silver: I joined PepsiCo almost 14 years ago. I did a marketing internship here between my first and second year of business school and was massively inspired and excited by the brands and the people and have been here ever since.
And how did PepsiCo’s collaboration with Susan G. Komen first come about?
Emily Silver: PepsiCo has been partnering with Susan G. Komen for 11 years. I became involved in our Greater NYC Race For The Cure team last year when I was asked to take over as Race Chair from a fantastic woman who was retiring.
How would you describe the working relationship? I know you have that upcoming Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure event…
Emily Silver: PepsiCo is proud to celebrate its 11th straight year as one of the largest corporate partners of the Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure. To date, Team PepsiCo and its 1,000+ members have raised over $1.5 million for Susan G. Komen in support of national breast cancer research and to provide local breast health programs for medically underserved women and their families. Amazing to note is that the $1.5 million in donations is largely PepsiCo employee giving and fundraising, which speaks to the great heart this cause holds within the PepsiCo community.
What is your personal recount of the experience at the Walk on Sunday? Why do you walk?
Emily Silver: It’s an incredibly touching event. To see a massive sea of people who have been touched in some way from breast cancer and who are together to support each other and find a cure is very moving to me. I walk because both my mother and mother-in-law passed away from cancer. I spent several years after they died being frustrated that they weren’t survivors, but then realized it was healthier to find a positive outlet in their honor.
What are some of your favorite PepsiCo products?
Emily Silver: We drink a lot of Gatorade, bubly and Pure Leaf Iced Tea in my house, as well as snack on Stacy’s Pita Chips, Lay’s Salt & Vinegar and Tostitos Touch Of Lime.
What do you wish more people knew about PepsiCo?
Emily Silver: How incredibly passionate, intelligent and caring the employees are and the way the PepsiCo community consistently comes together to support each other and their communities.
When not busy with work, where does your free time usually go?
Emily Silver: I have two young daughters, so try to spend a lot of time with them doing activities, as well as finding time for yoga and to play tennis.
What was the last concert you attended for fun?
Emily Silver: I’m a big country music fan. The last show I went to was Eric Church — my current favorite!
Finally, Emily, any last words for the kids?
Emily Silver: Stay humble, follow your passions and help build communities around you. I’m so grateful for the support that my PepsiCo colleagues have given me and the entire community around this great cause that is very close to my heart.
“Nobody should die from breast cancer, we need to be able to figure this out.” #Race4theCure
Watch Becky’s story of why she’s walked for 7 years in a row as part of our 1000 Strong team for @KomenGreaterNYC Race for the Cure: pic.twitter.com/peHp6gnpXa
— PepsiCo (@PepsiCo) September 9, 2019