Fortune Magazine recently ran a feature article on Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo’s new CEO of 18 months. At the helm of this Fortune 500 company, Nooyi is transforming the company into a health-friendly, globally-focused, green leader. As Fortune magazine writes,

“It essentially boils down to balancing the profit motive with making healthier snacks, striving for a net-zero impact on the environment, and taking care of your workforce.”

The new Pepsi is focused on moving beyond soda pop and into the “healthy beverage” market. Today, while 70% of their products remain “fun for you” foods, they are strategically growing their “good for you” offerings. The goal – to balance their offerings and have at least 50% be “good for” or “better for” you. By leading the focus on healthier options early, Pepsi now dominates this high-growth market.

At the same time, PepsiCo and Nooyi took to the “green” movement early on. Fortune Magazine reports that she:

“readily loosened the capital expenditure requirements for water- and heat-related conservation projects in a Frito-Lay meeting eight years ago”

and stunned executives. Today, these projects save Frito-Lay $55 million annually.

Finally, Nooyi has given the company a truly global focus. The US market is saturated – companies that are positioning themselves with a diverse workforce and a global perspective are best positioned for growth. Nooyi’s commitment to the world beyond US borders has enabled Pepsi to catch up with Coke (who previously dominated the global beverage trade) and positioned them for long-term growth and sustainability worldwide.

PepsiCo’s stock has shown the results of these HIP corporate initiatives in the areas of Health, Earth and Equality. Pepsi’s stock price has more than doubled since 2003 (about $70/share) and their earnings and operating profits have continued to rise, even in the face of higher corn prices – revenue was up 17% in the fourth quarter of 2007. By working to improve its Human Impact, PepsiCo has reaped significant profits and positioned itself for long-term sustainability and growth. To see the strategic HIP moves PepsiCo makes under Indra Nooyi’s leadership as CEO will certainly be a treat to customers, employees, investors and the world in the coming decades.

READ MORE about Indra Nooyi’s impressive leadership and commitment to HIP practices in Fortune Magazines’ article, The Pepsi Challenge.