In October 2016, Darren
Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, became the newest member of PepsiCo’s
board of directors.
Whereas Walker worked at the time for a more just and equitable society, Pepsi
was making the bulk of its money by selling sugary drinks and fatty snacks and
there being a well-established link between obesity and economic inequality. Would
he be working at cross-purposes? “There’s a risk that he will be viewed
as inconsistent,” said Michael Edwards, a former Ford Foundation executive at
the time.[1]
The company itself could also be viewed as being inconsistent—lobbying against
anti-obesity public-health legislation while putting Walker on the board of
directors.
The full essay is at "Philanthropist Joins PepsiCo.'s Board."
1. David Gelles, “An
Activist for the Poor Joins Pepsi’s Board. Is That Ethical?,” The New York Times, October 28, 2016.