By Emmett Fitzpatrick
To trace the arc of Marianne O’Shea’s personal and professional success, one must begin in North Cork, where she and her seven younger siblings grew up on a dairy farm. A student with “sincere interests” in her classes, she matriculated at the University College Dublin, where she studied biochemistry, and completed her post-graduate degree in nutrition and biochemistry at Dublin City University. While she did not plan to have a career in the food industry, she took her first post-academic job at Unilever that dovetailed with the specific research she had undertaken during her studies.
Former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, Irish Consul General Brian Cahalane,
and Marianne O’Shea, Vice President of Global Nutrition Science at PepsiCo
“I was doing a lot of travel,” Marianne recalls of her time at Unilever, which began in the Netherlands. “After a short time, the company wanted me to come to the US, so I made the move. I was planning to come for three years.” That was twenty-four years ago.
Over the next decade, she would hold a number of roles focused on building science and performing clinical work to support the ingredients that go into foods, and in 2010, she made a transition into the consumer-packaged goods industry when she joined PepsiCo, where she now serves as Vice President of Global Life Sciences.
“I joined PepsiCo with a mission to bring science into the everyday life of people who drink Pepsi. I had been working with clients on building the science behind explaining what the ingredients do, and I saw a gap in reaching consumers to let them know what goes into their bodies.”
Marianne cannot say enough about PepsiCo as a company and an employer.
“It’s fair to say that 15 years ago, PepsiCo leaders looked at their portfolio and were very concerned about the changing health status of the population and their role in driving that. They wanted to be a force for good and try to adjust. They brought in the capabilities needed to do that, hiring nutrition scientists, dieticians, and the like – people with advanced degrees – who are very involved and engaged in creating the products that they sell.”
She points out that PepsiCo actually makes more foods – things like Quaker Oats, Siete Foods, Sabre hummus – than beverages, and half of their entire volume comes from outside of the United States.
“We’re doing incredible work to help consumers get more nutrients and remove things that they don’t want or need. We’re doing the right thing.”
Having spent the better part of two decades in Chicago, Marianne confidently calls the United States home now; after all, she met her husband here, grew her career here, and her children were born here. At the same time, she holds on to her connection to being Irish by returning to Ireland two times per year and staying involved in the Irish community here in Chicago.
“It’s the best of both worlds,” she happily admits.
One important way in which Marianne has involved herself in the Irish community in Chicago is through The Ireland Funds, where she serves on the Regional Advisory Committee. In March, she, along with the rest of the Regional Advisory Committee and the Consulate General, helped to welcome President Mary Robinson for a special brunch during her visit to Chicago for the North American premiere of a documentary on her life, “Mrs. Robinson” which aired as part of the Chicago Irish Film Festival.
As Marianne says of this service, “Joining the Chicago Ireland Funds has been incredibly rewarding, largely for two reasons: one, they are 100% focused on Ireland and giving back, and two, they community of that board is wonderful. It’s an incredible network of people and we all look out for each other.”
Her commitment to The Ireland Funds has not gone unnoticed.
“We are so fortunate that Marianne translates her pride in her Irish heritage into practical support for the mission of The Ireland Funds,” remarks Aine Mallaghan, Vice President of Development, Midwest at the Ireland Funds. “Her involvement stretches from serving on the Committee of our Chicago Gala all the way across the Atlantic to representing Chicago at our annual Conference in Ireland. It is a joy to have both Marianne and her husband Eamonn so committed to our mission of giving back to the island of Ireland.”
Reflecting on her journey that began at her family dairy farm in North Cork, Marianne shows gratitude for her early life in Ireland and in particular the education she received as a “springboard” for her career.
“The importance of my education is not to be understated. It’s accessible to everyone, and a wonderful asset for the country. It truly began my step into the diaspora journey.”
She also credits the warm welcome she received upon her arrival stateside, from her coworkers to fellow Irish emigres, in setting herself up for the success that she has enjoyed.
“Coming here to Chicago as a single young person, I quickly met up with Irish people in a similar position and formed fast friendships. Of course, once you know one Irish person, you quickly meet ten more. We’re always introducing people to others, making sure they know those in my network, whether it’s for personal or professional reasons.”
Looking ahead, Marianne shows no signs of slowing down in her professional and community endeavors; as she sees it, her impact is part of the broader story of the Irish emigrant story that continues to be written.
“I feel an enormous need to give back and try to elevate Ireland to ensure that the expertise of the diaspora is visible around the world.”
Marianne O’Shea: Leader at PepsiCo and The Ireland Funds
