Michael Forsyth is a passionate marketing leader with a decade of experience at PepsiCo Foods Canada, where she has played a pivotal role in shaping some of the country’s most iconic food brands. Her expertise in brand strategy, innovation, and consumer engagement has led to breakthrough marketing campaigns that have driven significant business impact.

As Marketing Director for Potato Brands, Michael chartered the repositioning of Lay’s with the launch of the “Betcha Can’t Pick Just One” brand platform. This strategic refresh emphasizes Lay’s brand and flavour superiority, culminating in the 2025 Super Bowl campaign, “The Bet,” which provoked an impossible challenge – to pick just one flavour—forever. She’s also introduced successful innovation, such as Lay’s “Holiday Table” seasonal flavours, inspired by diverse holiday traditions across Canada, further strengthening Lay’s cultural connection with consumers. 

During her tenure as Senior Marketing Manager for Lay’s and Ruffles, Michael led high-profile collaborations, including the Ruffles x Raptors capsule collection in partnership with designer Spencer Badu and the Ruffles x KFC co-branded innovation. These initiatives successfully expanded Ruffles’ appeal among Gen Z audiences and reinforced brand affinity, while meaningfully connecting to culture. 

Prior to this, Michael played a key role in brand-building efforts for Doritos, where she managed globally recognized campaigns such as the Doritos Roses Proposal and Doritos Sonic Beats, the latter of which won a Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) award. Her tenure as Marketing Manager for Natural Snacks saw her lead the long-term strategy for PopCorners following its acquisition, integrating the brand into PepsiCo’s Canadian portfolio and driving increased market penetration.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Michael is deeply committed to mentorship and industry engagement. She’s an active mentor  through the Stacy’s Rise Project which empowers female entrepreneurs, supports marketing students as a judge for the Canadian Marketing League, and passionately leads workshops at her alma mater, McMaster University. 

Michael’s ability to combine strategic thinking with creative excellence has positioned her as a standout leader in the Canadian marketing landscape. With an eye for innovation and a talent for rallying cross-functional teams, she continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in brand marketing.