The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), the nation’s largest not-for-profit supporting Hispanic American higher education, today announced the addition of Chief Sustainability Officer of The Coca-Cola Company, Bea Perez, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. She is the first leader in the field of sustainability to have served on HSF’s board.
In her role at Coca-Cola, Ms. Perez is helping the Coca-Cola system achieve its goals of economically empowering 5 million women, replenishing 100% of the water it uses, and supporting community well-being. She is also leading Coca-Cola’s efforts to integrate sustainability deeper and more broadly, throughout its operations.
Ms. Perez has been recognized for her business success and sustainability leadership. She is a member of the American Advertising Hall of Achievement and the Sports Business Journal’s Hall of Fame. In 2014, Hispanic Executive magazine included her in its list of Top 10 Leaders, and she was named as one of the 10 Most Powerful Women in Sustainability by Green Building & Design magazine. She has been featured as one of the 25 Most Powerful Latinas on CNN En Espanol and in People en Espanol.
“I am proud and honored to serve this important organization and further support its mission,” said Ms. Perez. “By advancing higher education for Latino students, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund is empowering current and future generations, and unleashing an enormous surge of talent and know-how that we need for the sustainability of our nation and the world. Â Being a first-generation Latina, I understand the value and opportunity higher education can bring to the thousands of deserving, hard-working HSF beneficiaries. Serving on this board is an incredibly fulfilling extension of my life’s work.”
“We are thrilled to have Bea Perez join our Board of Directors. Her leadership and experience will be invaluable – all the more so, because of the expertise in sustainability she brings to the table. Sustainability is a top priority for HSF, in our operations, as well as being a mindset we seek to promote in everything we do, as we serve Latino students and their families, nationwide,” said Fidel A. Vargas, President & CEO, Hispanic Scholarship Fund. “We have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with The Coca-Cola Company for many years, and the start of Bea’s tenure as a board member marks an exciting new chapter in our enduring partnership.”