Check Out My Workspace: You Belong Here

Celebrating diversity allows us to foster an inclusive environment. But true equity goes beyond celebration. Associates with disabilities, for example, need to have equal opportunities for work, play, health and success. Members of our team, like Adriana Peralta, show that our actions are our strength.

Name: Adriana Peralta
Supply Chain General Auxiliary

Where do you work? What do you do?

I’m a bag operator on the SCHAAF line at the Vallejo Biscuit Manufacturing Plant, Mexico City. I oversee the production line: I ensure products have the correct weights and that they meet certain specifications. I also manage maintenance needs. When the lines start, I make sure everyone is following our process. My job prevents setbacks.

Tell us about your journey.

Growing up, I worried about what I could do with my life. I was always quiet. My parents thought it was strange, so they tried to find lip-reading classes. Being able to communicate was my dream. However, it was difficult. There were just too many words I didn’t know.

What did you do then?

I used to sell fruit at the market. One day, I met a man there who asked me if I knew Sign. I didn’t, really. He said he could get me a job at a factory. I didn’t even know what that was. I’d never been in one. He insisted that I give myself the opportunity to try new things. There, I met new people with interesting stories who helped me and taught me new things. There were also other deaf people who taught me Sign, and so I stayed.

That must have been empowering. How did you empower others?

I taught sign language to whoever wanted to learn. I’d learn things from them, too. That’s why I still teach people to sign. We communicate and learn from one another. Having good communication is key, so I encourage my colleagues to learn to communicate with people with disabilities so we can all work and be our best selves. I have learned that communication is important and having a disability is not an impediment to this.

What’s your favorite part of the day?

My work is interesting. I love seeing how my work reaches consumers. I’m filled with joy when I go into the supermarket and see the products we make every day. PepsiCo has taught me that I can have dreams and have bigger and better opportunities. PepsiCo is an inclusive place. I love it here because there are opportunities for everyone.

What are your dreams for the future?

When I think of my job at PepsiCo, I want to stay and keep teaching others sign language. I do this for my family. With my kids, it’s all normal. My oldest daughter can understand Sign well. She allows me to teach her. It’s the same with my second daughter. Her sister and I have taught her. My son, the youngest, is not quite there yet. I scold him sometimes, but he doesn’t learn. But we still communicate well. That makes me feel happy. It doesn’t matter that he can hear. He can still communicate with me. And maybe, if they like it, even my kids can work there and be interpreters in HR or with the higher-ups. Who knows? We’ll see!