Derek Yach, M BChB,MPH Board of Directors

Derek Yach, former Representative of the Director General at the World Health Organization, has been appointed PepsiCo (PEP) Director -- Global Health Policy, he directs the company's global health and wellness policy.

Yach, 51, is an internationally recognized public health policy leader and is responsible for setting the company's global health and wellness policy. He works with non-government organizations (NGOs) and inter-governmental organizations to establish productive relationships such as PepsiCo's 2006 partnership with the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association to create a school policy offering healthier choices of beverages and foods/snacks in schools.

"We're fortunate to have a leader of Derek's caliber and talent join PepsiCo. Derek has an undisputed track record in driving global health policies that support good nutrition and physical activity - two complementary strategies to combat obesity and other health issues across the globe," said Nooyi. "I'm confident that his expertise in the global public health policy arena will strengthen and accelerate our health and wellness agenda."

Over the last 10 years, Yach has held key leadership positions related to global health and the advancement of health, wellness and chronic disease research, prevention and control. These include positions at the World Health Organization (WHO), Yale University and the Rockefeller Foundation. While serving at the WHO, Derek held the positions of Representative of the Director General and the Executive Director, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health. At Yale University, he was a professor of Public Health and division head of Global Health. Most recently, Derek served as Director, Global Health at the Rockefeller Foundation.

He has authored or co-authored over 200 articles covering the breadth of global health issues. He has an honorary doctorate in science from Georgetown University.