An Orillia woman is being featured in a global marketing campaign for Pepsi.
Sterling Graham, 25, began working with PepsiCo in September 2019 as a part-time merchandiser.
In the summer of 2022, Graham started truck driving school while also merchandising. She then joined the warehouse team as an order picker while slowly transitioning to the driving team.
This past February, Graham celebrated one year on the road.
"I love my role as a geo box driver because I get to work with a great team at the Orillia branch where the people create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere," she said. "The team in Orillia has been a huge part of my success as a driver."
Graham credits her fellow drivers, the warehouse team, mechanics, and her manager, for facilitating her rapid growth with the company.
"They treat me no different than anyone else, we laugh, joke around and we are friends," she said.
Graham, a Hamilton area native, says what she enjoys most about her job is it keeps her on the move.
"I have the opportunity to interact with different customers and maintain a healthy lifestyle," she said. "Staying active is really important to me."
Graham was nominated by her manager for the She Is PepsiCo campaign because of her passion and drive to continue building her career with the soft drink company. She was one of just over two dozen women chosen to be recognized.
The campaign aims to recognize and celebrate front-line women associates, "showcase their transformative abilities," and help recruit even more women into front-line roles, notes a media release.
The program "rebrands some of the company's highly visible delivery trucks with the names and faces of She is PepsiCo honorees. Featuring photos of these employees in their work settings, in place of the company's brands, is at the heart of how the global campaign aims to celebrate and empower women," says the media release.
"I feel so honoured that I have the opportunity to represent my colleagues in front-line roles," Graham told OrilliaMatters. "I feel honoured to be in a position to inspire other women to pursue roles they might not have considered previously."
During the NASDAQ stock market closing bell yesterday in New York City, a picture of Graham was displayed in Times Square.
"It feels very surreal," she said.
As part of the campaign, PepsiCo is donating $1,000 in Graham's name to a charity of her choice. She chose the Sharing Place Food Centre in Orillia.
"I chose this organization because I would love for the Orillia food bank to benefit from this donation as I have seen the community struggle," she said. "Especially during these difficult economic times."
Graham says the She is PepsiCo campaign makes it clear that PepsiCo believes it's an even playing field and women can perform the same roles men can.
"I know that women can do anything they set out to do," she said. "I look forward to seeing more women join the front line."
