The Sweet Side of Leadership: Lori Tauber Marcus on Bias, Breakthroughs, and Building Better Workplaces

Lori Tauber Marcus (see her bio below) has lived a career many only dream about, 24 years rising through the ranks at PepsiCo during the height of the Cola Wars, followed by C-suite roles at The Children’s Place, Keurig Green Mountain, and Peloton. But what makes Lori remarkable isn’t just her résumé. It’s her candor, her humor, and her relentless commitment to helping leaders build workplaces where everyone can thrive.

In our wide-ranging conversation, Lori shares stories from her early days growing up in New Jersey, the lessons she learned navigating high-performance corporate cultures, and why her mornings often start with a Peloton ride and a tube of M&Ms. She opens up about the moment she realized it was time to leave corporate life, the leap into her “portfolio career,” and the joy she found helping others through board work, executive coaching, and keynote speaking.

We also dive into:

• Her decade-long board journey, including Fresh Del Monte Produce and 24 Hour Fitness

• The origin story of The Band of Sisters, a powerhouse group of former PepsiCo executives dismantling gender bias one story at a time

• Why language matters, and how subtle micro-moments shape culture more than we realize

• How she built a career on curiosity, grit, and paying attention to “signals from the universe”

• The surprising similarities across industries—from CPG to retail to tech

• Her belief that leadership is less about perfection and more about awareness, intention, and impact

Lori brings the perfect blend of insight, experience, and straight talk. Whether she’s talking about the corporate tax, the evolution of DEI, or why she will always be a Springsteen fan, this episode is packed with wisdom and personality.

If you’re looking for a masterclass in leadership with heart, humor, and honesty, you’ll love this conversation.

 

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About Lori: Lori Tauber Marcus is the kind of leader who’s seen it all from the C-suite to the boardroom, and everywhere in between. She’s currently serving on the boards of Fresh Del Monte Produce and 24 Hour Fitness, and she brings nearly 10 years of experience helping companies navigate major transitions, including CEO changes, mergers, and turnarounds.

Before her board journey, Lori held senior executive roles at powerhouse brands like Peloton, Keurig Green Mountain, The Children’s Place, and PepsiCo (where she spent 24 years). She knows how to build brands, drive innovation, and lead with both head and heart. Lori is also a passionate advocate for women in leadership. She’s a co-founder of The Band of Sisters, a group of powerhouse women executives working to dismantle gender bias in the workplace. Together, they co-authored the book "You Should Smile More", which Lori speaks about on stages around the country.

In addition to her board work and speaking, she coaches Fortune 500 executives through Crenshaw Associates and still finds time to stay active in organizations like C200, Women’s Forum of New York, and NACD. Lori is a proud Wharton grad and lifelong learner, always exploring new ways to build better businesses and stronger leaders.