Cara Keating, CEO of PepsiCo Canada, has been awarded the Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her long-standing contributions to Canada’s retail and consumer packaged goods sectors. The honour was announced by Retail Council of Canada on April 8.
The Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, industry impact, and a sustained commitment to innovation and community within retail and grocery.
As CEO of PepsiCo Canada, Keating oversees more than 12,000 employees across 13 manufacturing facilities and an extensive distribution network. The company manages a portfolio of widely recognized brands including Lay’s, Doritos, Pepsi-Cola, Gatorade, Quaker, and bubly.
Her leadership has included the integration of PepsiCo’s foods and beverages businesses in Canada, creating what is now the country’s largest consumer packaged goods company. The organization has also expanded its focus on domestic manufacturing, community investment, and sustainability initiatives, including a regenerative agriculture program that now covers 500,000 acres of Canadian farmland.
A Career Defined by Progression and Industry Impact
Keating’s 22-year career at PepsiCo began in 2004 and has spanned roles across field operations, sales, strategy, and general management. She previously served as President of PepsiCo Foods Canada, where she led both Frito Lay Canada and Quaker Canada through a period of transformation that strengthened customer partnerships and positioned the business for long-term growth.
She later took on the role of Chief Customer Officer for PepsiCo Foods North America, where she held responsibility for a nearly $26 billion business, working across retail and foodservice channels to drive innovation and enhance go-to-market strategies.
Industry Recognition and Broader Influence
Beyond operational leadership, Keating has played a notable role in advancing inclusion and talent development. As executive sponsor of PepsiCo’s Women’s Inclusion Network in Canada, she helped expand the initiative nationally and was recognized with the PepsiCo Global Harvey C. Russell Award for her contributions.
Her industry recognition includes being named one of Canadian Grocer’s Star Women in Grocery and receiving a Life Member Industry Builder Award from the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. She also serves on the board of Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada.
“In an industry defined by change, Cara has been a constant force for progress,” said Michael Graydon, CEO, Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada. “She has grown one of Canada’s most iconic CPG portfolios with discipline and vision, while never losing sight of the people and communities behind it.”
“Cara Keating has spent decades strengthening the retailer-supplier relationship in ways that have made the entire industry better,” said Kim Furlong, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. “Her commitment to collaboration and to developing the next generation of leaders makes her an entirely deserving recipient of this award.”
Recognition at RCCSTORE26 in Toronto
The Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award will be formally presented on June 3, 2026, at the Canadian Grand Prix Awards Gala, held at the Toronto Congress Centre. The event will conclude RCCSTORE26, the Retail Council of Canada’s flagship annual conference.
Keating joins a group of past recipients that includes senior leaders from companies such as Burnbrae Farms, Kruger Products, Sobeys, METRO, and Unilever Canada, reflecting the award’s status as one of the highest honours in Canada’s retail and grocery sectors.
