Maria Teresa Hilado has left her role at PepsiCo to join pharma company Actavis as chief financial officer.
Hilado was most recently senior VP, finance and treasurer at PepsiCo, which markets consumer products such as Pepsi Cola, Lay’s potato chips and Tropicana fruit juice.
She now moves to a role in healthcare at Actavis, which is in the middle of increasing its business with the purchase of Allergan, the makers of Botox and several eyecare products.
Hilado’s experience in completing large deals was one of the main appeals for Actavis, according to CEO and president Brent Saunders.
“She will bring extensive expertise in global finance, mergers and acquisitions and business development, and is widely recognised for her exceptional leadership skills,” said Saunders.
Hilado joined PepsiCo in 2009 having spent a year at Schering-Plough as VP and treasurer.
Prior to this role she spent more than 17 years at car manufacturers General Motors, most recently as assistant treasurer.
She also serves on the board of directors of adhesive manufacturer H.B. Fuller and previously served on the board of directors of Bausch & Lomb, a healthcare company that was taken over by Valeant Pharmaceuticals in 2013.