Pepsi's Dean [1]
Submitted by Bob Burton [2] on
Three months after the Dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Deborah Powell [3], joined the board of PepsiAmericas [4], controversy continues over her dual roles. Senior vice president for health sciences at the university Frank Cerra defended Powell's role to Pioneer Press reporter Paul Tosto: "What better way to get knowledge about obesity into the company than by bringing it into the boardroom?" The company, which has revenues of $3.7 billion, describes itself as "the world's second-largest manufacturer, seller and distributor of PepsiCo [5] beverages." Robert Jeffery, a director of the Obesity Prevention Center at the university, said Powell's appointment flagged the need for a "more serious conversation about where the ethical lines lie in corporate consulting." Michele Simon [6], the author of "Appetite for Profit [7]," is critical of Powell's appointment: "When an expert joins this kind of board, clearly it's going to compromise their [the university's] ability to speak out."