Jackie LaPointe, Director of Retail for PepsiCo’s Southwest market
Leadership at scale requires more than strong commercial acumen—it demands clarity, resilience, and the ability to build people while building the business. In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Jackie LaPointe, Director of Retail for PepsiCo’s Southwest market, to explore what it truly means to lead with impact.
Jackie is responsible for retail strategy across Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas, overseeing a business exceeding $500 million in revenue and supporting thousands of employees across the region. Yet, throughout the conversation, her focus remains consistent: leadership is ultimately about people.
Jackie shares her career journey from starting as a frontline sales representative at Boston Beer Company to building PepsiCo’s alcohol division from the ground up and ultimately leading one of the company’s most complex retail markets. Along the way, she reflects on the importance of taking calculated risks, investing in relationships, and embracing authenticity as a leadership strength—not a liability.
This episode offers a thoughtful perspective for leaders at any stage who are navigating growth, responsibility, and the evolving expectations of modern leadership.
Episode Highlights
(01:30) How discipline and consistency outside of work influence leadership performance
(03:02) What it takes to lead PepsiCo’s Southwest retail market
(04:26) Why Jackie defines herself as a builder of people, brands, and processes
(16:34) Starting on the sales floor and learning the business from the ground up
(17:22) Making the difficult decision to leave a company she loved in order to grow
(18:05) Building PepsiCo’s alcohol division from scratch
(18:50) The role of industry involvement and professional networks in career advancement
(19:34) Why mentors and advocates matter most when you’re not in the room
“I like to build brands, stories, and processes—but most importantly, I love building people.”
What You’ll Learn from This Episode
How to lead large, complex businesses without losing sight of people
Why starting at the ground level builds long-term leadership credibility
How to evaluate when it’s time to leave a strong organization to continue growing
The importance of mentors, advocacy, and professional networks
Why authenticity strengthens trust and leadership effectiveness
How to approach career growth with confidence, even before you feel fully ready
Connect with Jackie
Jackie LaPointe on LinkedIn
Stay Candid
Candid with Candidates shares real stories from inside major organizations—stories that don’t make it into the slide decks or LinkedIn highlight reels. Follow along for conversations that inform, encourage, and help you navigate your own path to leadership.
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