Nelly Raquel Zegarra Villar – GC Powerlist
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Colombia 2024

Food, beverages and tobacco

Nelly Raquel Zegarra Villar

Legal director Colombia and Venezuela | PepsiCo Colombia

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Colombia 2024

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Nelly Raquel Zegarra Villar

Legal director Colombia and Venezuela | PepsiCo Colombia

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?  
 

In managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, it is crucial for the legal department to be fully aligned with the company’s purpose and values. In Latin America, where we face various crises—whether political, economic, social, or regulatory—being deeply connected to the business is essential. Understanding the organisation’s objectives and needs allows the General Counsel to approach decision-making with both a holistic perspective and a creative mindset. During challenging times, the legal team’s role is to support the business by anticipating risks and providing proactive legal strategies that contribute to the company’s resilience. 

What are the main cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?   

Regarding recent cases or transactions, while specific details are confidential, I have played a significant role in shaping the legal strategy for transformational projects, particularly in redefining our commercial relationships with clients and consumers. Additionally, I have led the litigation strategy, ensuring that our approach aligns with broader business goals while safeguarding the company’s interests. 

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company? 

Sustainability is at the core of our business, particularly since the launch of PepsiCo Positive (Pep+) in 2021. This initiative aims to embed sustainable practices across every aspect of PepsiCo’s operations—from the cultivation of ingredients to the production, distribution, and sale of our iconic products. Pep+ is focused on creating meaningful global impact, fostering a more sustainable future for people, the planet, and our business. The initiative is organised around three key pillars: Positive Agriculture, Positive Value Chain, and Positive Choices. The legal team plays a pivotal role in advancing this sustainability agenda. We are not just providing legal support but are actively involved in driving the sustainability initiatives forward. Our commitment to sustainability shapes the framework of our work, and we continuously engage in learning and sharing new knowledge to contribute effectively to these efforts. I have had the privilege of working on projects aimed at reducing and reusing resources, which are integral to our broader sustainability goals. 

Nelly Raquel Zegarra Villar - Colombia 2023

Legal director Colombia and Venezuela | PepsiCo Colombia

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