Frito-Lay Trailblazer: Sabrina Kephart

Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be blogging about some of the many women at Frito-Lay who are blazing new trails in business, including the unique challenges they face and how they're overcoming them.  Today, I’m blogging about Sabrina Kephart, a Registered Dietitian with the American Dietetic Association and member of our Research nutrition team.

A few months ago, as part of my speech at my retirement party, I pulled out an article published 30 years ago in Frito-Lay's employee magazine about the nutritional attributes of Frito-Lay’s potato chips.  The article noted that our potato chips have less sodium than people might think and are made from simple ingredients, just potatoes, oil and salt/seasoning.  Many of these facts are part of our newest marketing efforts today, and my point in sharing the article (older people like me love to make points) is that most “new” things are not really new. 

But, as I look at what Frito-Lay is doing today in the area of nutrition, I've changed my mind and think there really is a lot that is new.  While we have a long tradition of being committed to health and wellness, today, we’re doing more than ever.  For instance, we switched to heart-healthy oils, and are developing new, better-for-you products, like SmartFood Popcorn Clusters, Flat Earth Veggie Crisps and TrueNorth premium nut snacks.    

One of today’s thought leaders in health and wellness at Frito-Lay is Sabrina Kephart, a Registered Dietitian on our Research nutrition team.  I spoke with Sabrina (pictured at left with her husband, Alex) last week before she takes maternity leave.  (She’s expecting a girl in July and is keeping the baby's name a secret from her friends and family.  I couldn't convince her to let me disclose it here on Snack Chat!)

"When I tell people I work for Frito-Lay, the first thing they ask me is, ‘Why does Frito-Lay need a nutritionist?’" Sabrina told me.  "So, I give them an example: Recently I worked with the Marketing team to design a snack with nutritional attributes that appeal to women.  After talking with women and evaluating ingredients, we decided to create a portion-controlled snack that contains good sources of calcium and fiber and helps manage calories.  And, SmartFood Popcorn Clusters was born.”

Besides developing new products, Sabrina works with the Frito-Lay Packaging team to ensure that the nutrition information on our packaging is accurate, clear to consumers and complies with FDA regulations.  She also helps ensure our snacks that are available in schools comply with schools’ nutrition guidelines.

I asked Sabrina, who’s been with Frito-Lay for four years, if she has faced any unique challenges as a woman.  "I've never thought about that question," Sabrina told me. "So I guess the answer is, ‘no.’ I've heard stories from other women that it was different around here even 10 years ago, but there has been a lot of progress in bringing women into the company and setting them up for success.  My boss is a woman.  I'd still like to see more women role models in senior management positions, but I'd say my major concern right now is how I'll maintain my own work-life balance after my daughter is born."

Sabrina's perspective illustrates the progress at Frito-Lay –- and in much of the business world -- in developing and supporting women.  And, although it remains an ongoing journey, the company has worked hard to develop different work-life balance options for employees, especially for those balancing careers with parenthood. 

To help Sabrina with her personal journey, I contacted Charlotte Wheat, the trailblazer I blogged about last week who is president of Frito-Lay’s network for female employees, and she is going to connect Sabrina with Frito-Lay’s new mom's club, a group of women transitioning from maternity leave back to work.  I’m sure Sabrina will manage just fine in her own transition and that her success in business will carry-over to her success as a new mother.

In the next Trailblazers article, I'll provide a very different look at Frito-Lay from the perspective of Cindi Evans, who works in our field Sales organization.  Tell me about women trailblazers who have influenced your life.

Comments

[Sue]

Since I was a kid, my favorite snack has been Doritos. My mom even took a picture of me at about age 5 (holding a bag of nacho cheese Doritos). Now, I'm 40 years old and still enjoy the nacho cheese Doritos. My complaint is that I also really LOVED the guacamole flavor chips and can no longer find it....... I think it was a HUGE mistake to stop making this flavor. So, please, please, on behalf of myself (and I'm sure many others) I implore you to bring back the guacamole flavor. Bring back the guacamole flavor! We want guacamole flavor! As the song goes..."Don't be cruel to a heart that's true......"

[Susan Nieuwenhuis]

I have a comment to make regarding the SmartFood Popcorn Clusters. The Clusters are delicious! However, I don't understand why five little bags are packaged in such a large cardboard box!? The box is large enough to hold 20 bags of Clusters! Can a solution be found? Perhaps indeed package 20 bags per box. They will DEFINITELY be devoured!!

[Natalie Miksich]

I am a current student at a state university studying to become a Dietitian. Reading this article just made me excited to continue my studies to reach my ultimate goal of someday working at a company like Frito-Lay! Thanks! :)