Thread regarding PepsiCo Inc. (Pepsi) layoffs

Is Athina really the right kind of leader for this organization?

Lately, it feels like her leadership style is creating more chaos than clarity. She tends to give more direction to vendors than to her own team, and expects us to go above and beyond to fulfill commitments she’s made—often without considering the downstream impact.

There seems to be a lack of trust in her own leadership team. Why does every decision, even RFPs like SkyBridge, need to go through her? It’s disheartening to see strong leaders like Santosh, Magesh, and Dave sidelined. At least under Seth, leaders were empowered and trusted to make decisions—it wasn’t a one-person show.

True leaders delegate, empower, and operate strategically. Instead, we’re being asked to build decks and over-explain the smallest decisions that her leads are fully capable of handling.

If this continues, we risk losing some of the best talent under her. Maybe it’s time for a change at the top before more damage is done.

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| 2935 views | | 16 replies (last August 6) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1k1f5rg3c

16 replies (most recent on top)

@OP A big NO

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Post ID: @184+1k1f5rg3c

Athina watching? You must be one who benefited from all the benefits under Athinas leadership? Her former S&T team set a precedent—bringing in random vendors and taking advantage of the system. G-yatri followed the same pattern, and now the folks from that legacy continue the trend and try to get those benefits.

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Post ID: @sz+1k1f5rg3c

@he Probably because of some vendor bias by some leaders? We have seen a spike of random vendors getting contracts.

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Post ID: @rn+1k1f5rg3c

What are you talking about? Seth was awful. Everyone knows he openly hated and sidelined some of the strong leaders. Vendor ecosystem is very much aware of Seth and how bad he is. Athina is probably keeping a distance and watching.

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Post ID: @rm+1k1f5rg3c

@gz Ramon unfortunately is an emperor without any clothes. Under his tenure and of course his godmother we saw the downfall. They lined up their Indian citizens for their benefit and let the rot take hold which we see today. Alas, one remembers the good days where Indians cronyism and cesspool culture was not there. And neither were the useless hubs that can no longer justify their existence given all work is with contractors. So let's us proceed and get rid of these hubs and we save big.
Entire top.leadership must be shown the door starting with Athina and her Indians gang members. Ramon must just go. Anything they have touched turns to ashes.
Dissolve S&T and create a more simple and nimble force.

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Post ID: @qj+1k1f5rg3c

@he are we surprised?. It is very clear IBM, CTS, sap are giving massive kickbacks.

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Post ID: @pw+1k1f5rg3c

I believe the issues began during Athina’s leadership of the old S&T organization, where loose controls and open budgets allowed many to take advantage of the system. I can name a few individuals where this was clearly the case. Unfortunately, her decisions at the time put us in this position, and now she seems unable to trust her own L1 leaders. Several people under her benefited significantly during that period.

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Post ID: @nf+1k1f5rg3c

@he lol. I gave a bonus one

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Post ID: @j8+1k1f5rg3c

She's probably boning Ramon.

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Post ID: @hs+1k1f5rg3c

I can tell you two things.

  1. Athina's L1's are scared sh!t of her. Weeks and weeks of One-Page PowerPoint presentation drafting for her to tear it up to shreds for not getting it right.
  2. Athina doesn't trust anyone, much less her L1's. She's now wanting to be invited to supplier meetings to discuss solutioning. Why does she even need to be there?
  3. Athina now decides which suppliers PepsiCo's S&T works with. No one under Athina has that authority anymore. This could be a good thing. There is too many instances of supplier favoritism (errr backdoor hustling) occurring. Hence, all the new Teslas are in employee parking.
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Post ID: @he+1k1f5rg3c

@ef . Even when her leads or direct reports speak up, it doesn’t seem to matter. Athina made some poor decisions in the previous S&T structure involving large investments, yet there were no consequences—instead, she was given an even bigger role. Her leadership style feels very much like “my way or the highway.” The fact that so many strong leaders are choosing to leave reflects poorly on Ramon’s leadership as well. Many of Athina’s recent hires also raise serious concerns.

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Post ID: @gz+1k1f5rg3c

@c7 sadly no one in pepsico has grown a pair of ba--s to question her, her peers and direct reports included

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Post ID: @ef+1k1f5rg3c

@bw and most of them being Indians.

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Post ID: @e0+1k1f5rg3c

All PepsiCo leaders are fu--ing re--rds.

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Post ID: @cv+1k1f5rg3c

Her LinkedIn likes don’t reflect the true sentiment. As the head of S&T, people publicly show support, but many aren’t genuinely aligned with her leadership. She can be intimidating and dismissive toward differing opinions, which discourages open dialogue. Most people avoid pushing back simply to stay off her radar.

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Post ID: @c7+1k1f5rg3c

Apparently, her linkedin says so. Her linkedin popularity is directly proportional to the speed and enthusiasm of her fans' likes. And the cherry on top? 'We liked your post' – the ultimate seal of approval from her nincompoop followers. Someone's got a dedicated team of admirers... and PR specialists

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Post ID: @bw+1k1f5rg3c

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