PepsiCo Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Stephen Kehoe will retire at the end of 2026, marking the conclusion of a three-and-a-half-year second tenure with the global food and beverage giant.
Following Kehoe’s departure, PepsiCo’s communications, government affairs, and public policy functions will merge under General Counsel David Flavell, who will assume the expanded role of Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer. Chris Manzini, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Communications, will report directly to Flavell.
Kehoe will remain with the company in an advisory capacity through the end of the year.
Executive Restructuring & Leadership Transition
Under the streamlined organizational structure, Flavell’s current portfolio—comprising legal, board and governance, compliance and ethics, and security—will expand to encompass global corporate communications and public affairs.
Kehoe returned to PepsiCo in May 2023 following a career break and a three-year stint as President and CEO of Edelman’s Asia-Pacific operations. In his current role, Kehoe oversaw PepsiCo's integrated global public affairs agenda and served as Chair of the PepsiCo Foundation.
Flavell's incoming direct report, Chris Manzini, joined PepsiCo from Edelman in 2023 and leads a global communications team of approximately 200 professionals spanning more than 200 markets and territories.
Career & Legacy
Kehoe’s broader communications career spans more than three decades:
• PepsiCo (2023–2026 & 2004–2010): Served as EVP and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer in his second stint. During his initial tenure, he served as VP of Government Affairs and Communications for Europe in Brussels before transitioning to New York as Global SVP of Communications, Government Affairs, and Public Policy.
• Edelman (2019–2022): Led the agency’s Asia-Pacific operations as President and CEO, returning the regional business to growth in 2021 before departing in 2022.
• Visa: Spent over seven years leading global public affairs and financial inclusion initiatives as SVP.
• Early Career: Held positions at APCO Worldwide, Weber Shandwick, BAE Systems, and the European Parliament.
