Speaker Profile

Carolyn Braff is a seasoned brand strategist who has driven innovation, consumer engagement and go-to-market programming in more than a decade of service at PepsiCo. In September 2025, she was named Vice President of the Sports and Entertainment Team, leading sports partnerships and strategy across food and beverages. Prior to this role, she served as Vice President of Quaker, Culinary Strategy and FIFA Coordination at PepsiCo Foods. In this role, she led a newly formed team to establish and deliver a culinary strategy that enables PepsiCo to expand its focus beyond the bag, from snacks to foods. She was also responsible for leading marketing for the full Quaker business, and oversaw all innovation and activation as part of the company’s official sponsorship of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Braff previously spent 10 years at Gatorade, where she led the leading sports fuel brand’s marketing efforts across its portfolio of products, culminating in her role as Head of Brand Strategy. Braff was instrumental in the development of brand strategy for marquee product platforms, including Gatorade Thirst Quencher, Gatorlyte, Gatorade Fit and G Zero. She oversaw the launch of Gatorade’s first zero sugar product, Gatorade Zero, which reached $1B in sales in year two, and developed go-to-market strategies that fueled Gatorade’s double-digit volume growth. She also led the brand’s portfolio of performance nutrition brands, including Gatorade protein, Muscle Milk, and Fast Twitch energy drink, as well as the Endurance business. She was also founder and Chair of the Gatorade Women’s Advisory Board.

Prior to her tenure at Gatorade, Braff began her career as a sportswriter in New York City, covering college football for CBS Sports' college network. She also held editorial positions with the Sports Video Group.  

A Philadelphia native, Carolyn received her BA from Columbia University in Urban Studies and Spanish Language and Literature. She joined PepsiCo after earning her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She lives in Chicago with her husband, two children, and rescue dog.

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