March is Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the impact women have had in every industry. It’s also about celebrating the women who are making workplaces better today. One of those women is Jessica Chen, MHRIR 10, an HR leader who has built her career on speaking up, lifting others, and creating space for more voices at the table.
Like many people, Jessica didn’t start out thinking she’d work in HR. She was a psychology major, focused on paying off student loans and determining what came next. But when her roommate showed her an internship offer letter for an HR role, she had a moment of realization. She had no idea HR could be such a beneficial career path for someone with her background.
Her internship at Frito Lay was all it took to hook her. She saw firsthand how HR professionals don’t just handle policies. They shape business strategy, impact people’s careers, and build company cultures. The fast-paced, high-energy environment sealed the deal, and she never looked back. Her accomplishments led her to earn LER’s First Decade Achievement Award in 2019.
Finding Your Voice
One of Jessica’s biggest leadership lessons is using your voice.
She admits this didn’t come naturally. Early in her career, she preferred to absorb information and only chime in when called upon. But soon, HR mentors and fellow LER alumnus Tim Brinkmann and Pat Walsh gave her some great advice, each separately: You’re at the table for a reason. Use your voice.
That lesson stuck. Now, as an HR leader, she makes it a priority to ensure that everyone, whether the loudest in the room or the quietest, knows their voice matters. “I think that is key because you might not find it your natural position to just chime in with your point of view. However, as HR leaders, I find that we care so deeply about the vision and the mission of our goals that it is best if we put aside our fears of not saying the right thing or looking silly and using OUR voice. Our profession and the business we support depends on it.” Creating space for different perspectives isn’t just the right thing to do; it makes our teams stronger, and business performance better.
Supporting Women in the Workplace
Balancing career growth with caregiving responsibilities can be a unique challenge for Women in the workplace. That’s why she values how PepsiCo prioritizes supporting the whole person, not just the employee who shows up to work every day.
From mental health resources to caregiver benefits, PepsiCo has built a culture that makes it easier for all associates to thrive. Beyond policies, there’s a strong mentoring network, formal (ie The Motherboard) or informal, that ensures women don’t have to figure things out alone. “I became a mother 2 years ago and quickly realized that there is a part of the caregiving journey that never switches off, just because you are in a board meeting or with an employee. Our Total Rewards team at PepsiCo has taken an empathetic approach to compensation and benefits service delivery, that has personally helped me balance taking care of my daughter, my aging parents, and my future family goals.”
Mentorship That Goes Both Ways
For Jessica, mentorship isn’t about formal programs or scheduled coffee chats. It’s about real connections that happen when people work together on a shared goal.
She’s also quick to point out that mentorship isn’t one-sided. Some of her most valuable lessons have come from newer professionals bringing fresh perspectives. Whether it’s learning about new tech tools (like planning work through AI) or rethinking the way things have always been done, she believes the best leaders are the ones who keep learning from everyone around them.
Advice for Women in HR and Leadership
Jessica’s biggest piece of advice? Don’t wait until you feel ‘ready.’
She’s seen it happen repeatedly; people hesitate to go after leadership roles because they feel like they need more experience or knowledge. But the truth is, you’re probably more ready than you think. Her approach is to be bold, put yourself out there, and if you hear “no,” learn from the experience, and keep moving forward. Get better at handling “No”, because it is part of the process.
Don’t wait until you feel ‘ready.’ If you’re at the table, it’s because you belong there. Speak up, take up space, and don’t be afraid to go after what you want.”
Jessica Chen, Sr. Director of Human Resources, PepsiCo
Inspired by Strong Women
When asked about the most significant influence in her life, Jessica doesn’t hesitate to mention her mom. She didn’t have a high-powered career but was strong, resourceful, and always found ways to make things work. That resilience and dedication left a lasting impact, shaping how Jessica approaches challenges in both work and life.
Paying It Forward
As she prepares to welcome her second daughter this summer, Jessica is even more focused on the future. She aims to continue to create workplaces where everyone feels heard, supported, and empowered to grow.
This Women’s History Month, we celebrate leaders like Jessica: women who are paving the way, lifting others, and proving that everyone wins when more voices are heard.