Kristen Blum was most recently SVP & CIO Latin America, PepsiCo, Inc. Over the past 30 years, Kristen has had extensive experience in senior technology and business positions at leading retail and consumer-focused companies. In her nearly eight years with PepsiCo, she held multiple leadership roles, including SVP of Global IT Transformation, SVP & CIO of Frito-Lay, and SVP & CIO of Commercial Solutions, Enterprise Data, and Advanced Analytics. In her various leadership roles at PepsiCo, she was responsible for innovating, advancing, and evolving the technology solutions for PepsiCo’s businesses.    

Midstream in her PepsiCo, Inc. tenure, she left to become EVP & Chief Technology Officer of JCPenney, Inc.. She was responsible for the company’s overall technology strategy and transformation, and she oversaw all technology initiatives as well as the digital commerce business.

Prior to PepsiCo and JCPenney, she was SVP & CIO at Abercrombie & Fitch, Inc., where she was responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of technology initiatives to enable the company’s explosive international growth.

Kristen was also responsible for the original development of solutions for Apple’s retail stores as well as the international retail expansion efforts. In addition, she was responsible for the company’s supply chain and planning solutions. Prior to Apple, Kristen has helped lead many technology and business efforts for various Retail, CPG, and High Tech companies while consulting for KPMG. She also spent time at Planet Hollywood International, Disney, and Victoria’s Secret in various buying, planning, allocation, and finance capacities.

She is on the Board of Directors for Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., Guidewell Mutual Holding Company, The National Society of High School Scholars Foundation, and The Ohio State University English Department. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University.