Category: Podcast
Geraldine Moriba - Journalist, Filmmaker, Advocate
Published February 19, 2024 by pgalums in
Geraldine Moriba’s a 5-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and advocate — the host and executive producer of “Sounds Like Hate,” a podcast by the Southern Poverty Law Center – documenting how American extremists become radicalized and how some of them change.
Geraldine’s also SVP of news and entertainment at The Grio – a black-owned media platform owned by businessman and philanthropist Byron Allen. A media and journalism veteran, Geraldine’s held senior roles at CNN, NBC, PBS, ABC, and CBC – including being vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion for CNN Worldwide. A Canadian Jamaican living in New York, Geraldine never accepted setbacks on her journey – they were just challenges to overcome. From confronting racist administrators in college to accepting a fax machine invitation, Geraldine built a career that would always challenge the right story to be told. You can learn more about Geraldine’s work at Soundslikehate.org // splcenter.org
This is a past conversation from Raman’s other podcast, Modern Minorities, where each week we share minority conversations for all of our majority years. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation that we hope will provide new perspectives and learnings.
Andrew Swinand, CEO of Publicis & Leo Burnett
Published January 27, 2024 by pgalums in
Andrew Swinand is the CEO of the Creative Group across all Publicis agencies, as well as the CEO of Leo Burnett. As CEO, Andrew leads the agency by emphasizing the power of transparency in regards to data, and balances that with the creativity needed to drive businesses forward for clients.
He was also the founder and CEO of marketing startup, The Abundancy, and co-founded its holding company Abundant Venture Partners (AVP), an incubator focused on building media and healthcare companies. Before that, he was president of Starcom MediaVest Group, the world’s largest media agency. He also proudly served his country as a platoon leader in the U.S. Army. Andrew has been recognized by Advertising Age as a “Media Maven,” and was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement in 2008. Andrew has founded 9 companies, with 7 exits. And even worked on the Reflect Brand at P&G. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about focusing on problems to solve, cultivating a curious soul, and practicing kind leadership.
Nominations for 2023/2024 Elections to the Board of the Global P&G Alumni Network Recommendations of the Nominations Committee to the Board
Published January 24, 2024 by pgalums in
Now Is the Time for YOU to Choose the Next P&G Alumni Network Board…Voting Closes February 2, 2024
ALERT: Vote using the NEW link voting tool. To be able to vote you must be a registered member of pgalums.com, as this is the only way we can limit voting to actual P&G Alumni.
If you have not signed up as a member, please do so before voting. It will benefit you for future Alumni interactions, and we are prepared to quickly verify you as an Alumni so you can vote. Thank you very much.
If you have already voted using the old link, please vote again on the new one.
The Nominating Committee has done its job! There are 12 worthy candidates to fill the 8 board seats up for election.
We are fortunate to have incumbents for all of the openings that have been endorsed by the current P&G Alumni Network Board, as well as four new candidates for consideration. Keep reading for details on the nominees.
The general election by the P&G Alumni Network members has been extended through February 9, 2024, so cast your vote NOW.
If there are any questions, please contact Ute Hagen, Vice-Chair of the Global Board and Head of the Nomination Committee at vicechair@pgalums.com.
Meet the Nominees
Board Recommended Incumbent
In Alphabetical Order:
Ida Abdalkhani– Board Recommended Incumbent
- Engagement with P&G and P&G Alumni activities
Time at P&G: 2005-2010 where Ida served as Global Brand Manager for Olay Body Care, and Secret Deodorants after ABM roles on Downy and Bounce.
After resigning from P&G she backpacked around the world, became a Laughter Yoga instructor, and then started Ability to Engage, a consultancy that helps some of the world’s largest brands and companies (including P&G). Ability to Engage is an international award-winning company and Ida is a sought-after global speaker and Board Member for multiple organizations. Her varied experiences have helped her cultivate an understanding of the benefits of new and different perspectives. She strives to be inclusive and ensure we are all better for our interactions together.
Ida currently serves as the Secretary of the Global Board. In addition, she is the Enrichment Series Webinars Lead, Podcast Co-Host, and Board Member of the P&G Alumni Foundation.
- Motivation to run for (re)election to the Board of the Global P&G Alumni Network
There is more to be done, therefore Ida wants to continue to contribute to the things that she is currently doing.
Stevi Gable Carr–Board Recommended Incumbent
- Engagement with P&G and P&G Alumni activities
Stevi Gable Carr spent just shy of a decade at P&G in Consumer & Market Knowledge, Retail Design, Brand Expression, and Brand Capability in Global Baby Care, Global Fem Care, NA Hair Care, and Global Cosmetics from 2008-2010 and 2010-2017.
Stevi was foundational in creating the idea, and then developing and executing the Always Discreet Boutique. She had the foresight and consumer understanding to realize there was a super-premium market for women in adult incontinence that would aim to make the experience of AI products move from diapers to underwear. She convinced the President, R&D, PR, and Marketing. Discreet Boutique continues to deliver for P&G.
Stevi is passionate about catalyzing human potential and enabling individuals and brands to achieve their goals through healthy, intentional strategies to support resilient behaviors.
She founded Wise Wellness Guild in 2019 where she brought this inspiration and her entrepreneurial spirit to her own company. Stevi has received considerable notice and awards for her commitments including being named to Cincinnati’s Women Who Mean Business and 40 Under 40, 2020 as well as Procter & Gamble Global Visionary Under 40 Winner at the 2019 Alumni Conference.
She is currently serving on the P&G Alumni Board. Stevi attended the Global Conferences in 2019 and 2023 and has supported the C-Suite Network, Enrichment Series, and Cincinnati Chapter since 2017. Specifically, she partnered with Stuart Schaefer to deliver the Health Innovations Summit in 2019 in partnership with UC Health and UC 1819 Innovation Lab. This day-long event hosted hundreds of attendees and supported the amplification of P&G Alumni paving the way for health and wellness innovation in the region.
She moderated ES Webinars June-Dec 2023 and from July-Dec 2024.
- Motivation to run for (re)election to the Board of the Global P&G Alumni Network
Stevi believes that the network can maximize impact by generating additional revenue to financially support holistic efforts aligned with network goals. Through the establishment of the Revenue Committee, Stevi looks forward to identifying and activating key activities that can support meaningful paid opportunities for alumni to deepen engagement.
Lou Ann Eckert-Lynch–Board Recommended Incumbent
- Engagement with P&G and P&G Alumni activities
Being a Chemical Engineer by vocation, LouAnn started her career at P&G in 1978 in Production Management and eventually rose through the ranks in Human Resource Management, including North American, and Global roles. She retired in 2010 as HR Director, Global Employee Relations.
Today LouAnn consults with individual leaders and teams to drive performance and is a trained coach.
She has been actively engaged with the Global Alumni Network since January 2011 to represent the interests of female P&G Alumni globally. She currently is the Chair of the Women’s Forum within the Network as well as a Board Member of the Global Network. Under her leadership, the Women´s Forum is a very active and vital part of the Global Network. She has been an active contributor to all the past Global Alumni Conferences. LouAnn also is an active supporter of the Global Alumni Foundation.
- Motivation to run for(re) election to the Board of the Global P&G Alumni Network
Much is still to be done for a full-on engagement of the Global P&G Alumni. Therefore, LouAnn wants to continue to lead, particularly the Women`s Forum as there are many more ideas on how to advance female leaders of all ages.
Jeff Goldstein–Board Recommended Incumbent
Driven to make a difference, helping people, companies, and the community.
President of ACUPOLL Precision Research, Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio.
Expertise Areas: Vision, Strategy, Marketing, Innovation, Market Research, Consumer Products Growth Strategy, M&A, Leadership, seeing opportunities many others don’t.
- Engagement with P&G and P&G Alumni activities
1988-1996: P&G Health Care Brand Management, P&G Health Care Globalization Time-Based Competition Team (recommended GBU structure), Corporate New Ventures
Global Alumni Board Member since I founded the Cincinnati chapter in 2005 and built it to over 1,000 members, with events ranging from 80-275 attendees, continuing on the Network board for nearly a decade and still active in events.
Led global alumni survey research: Created the 2004 alumni network survey to get feedback on the idea of creating local chapters; contributed to global conference surveys; conducted the 2015 global survey that led to the creation of the enrichment program; conducted the 2021 global survey that led to the new business model initiative; and surveys for enrichment, coaching, and African American engagement
Attended seven global conferences (all in the U.S., Toronto, and LATAM/Miami)
Secured a dozen or more sponsors for the Cincinnati chapter and sponsorship for the Global Conference
Secured participants for the C-Suite Forum
- Motivation to run for (re)election to the Board of the Global P&G Alumni Network
I want to continue to lead the Global Board’s work to identify strategy business model improvements that will take the organization to a whole new level … and magnify the impact/benefit we have on the lives of alumni. I want to continue to connect with P&G alumni and help them however I can, and give back to the community which benefited me, my parents, siblings, and children (as I’m a 2nd generation P&G alum)
Ranu Gupta–Board Recommended Incumbent
As the Senior Product Delivery Leader for the Wells Fargo Small Business Digital Channel, I look for innovative ways to improve the lives of 10% of all US Small business customers, who are Wells Fargo customers and represent ~7% of US GDP. As a leader in the Digital Strategy & Innovation group, I am enabling one of the largest and oldest financial institutions in the world to re-invent itself into a digital powerhouse. I am also a serial entrepreneur and serve and have served on various profit and non-profit boards such as Vijona Africa, Playpal, Innovation Pavilion, University of Denver, and the SMU Tech Incubator. I live in the Dallas metroplex, and I am a full-on geek with a passion for digitally enabled innovation, especially in the areas of co-living and education.
- Engagement with P&G and P&G Alumni activities
I joined P&G as an intern in the 90s and left in 2000 reluctantly headhunted out by GE to set up leadership development for their fastest-growing business at the time (now called GENPACT) and have lived in the US since 2006.
I re-engaged with P&G through the alumni network in 2018, and after the Madrid conference I restarted the Dallas Chapter, and since late 2021 was tapped to run the North American chapters as Regional Ambassador, and the Global Chapters as Membership Committee Chair. I have worked hard to facilitate a strong partnership with the chapters and the PGAN Foundation, in addition to rejuvenating existing chapters post-pandemic and restarting key ones like the SF Bay area Chapter. With over 67 global chapters led by 145 leaders, I am proud to say we represent one of the most vibrant alumni networks in the world.
- Motivation to run for (re)election to the Board of the Global P&G Alumni Network
Attending my first alumni conference back in Madrid in 2019, I felt instantly energized and at home reconnecting with old friends and colleagues with shared values and mutual respect. That motivated me to restart the Dallas Chapter, and then take over responsibility for the North American and Global Chapters. My only major motivation, I must say is the pleasure it gives me to once again be working with people of high integrity and caliber that P&G represents. My way of giving back.
Katya [Ekaterina] Lobynko–Board Recommended Incumbent
Katya is a digital leader with broad experience in driving digital transformation in FMCG and Pharma. She is based in Paris, France, and has an international background having lived in Malaysia previously. She is passionate about realizing the value and positive impact of technologies for consumers, employees, and businesses.
- Engagement with P&G and P&G Alumni activities
Katya spent five years in P&G delivering digital initiatives in commercial and marketing areas in EMEA. Currently, she works as a director at Sanofi, a biopharma company.
Katya has served on the board of PGAN for a year, co-chairing the Enrichment Committee. She has been actively collaborating with the “Under 40” program to promote PGAN for younger audiences, recruiting a C-level speaker for the Podcast, and speaking in the webinar on AI and DEI topics.
- Motivation to run for (re)election to the Board of the Global P&G Alumni Network
Katya wants to continue her engagement with the PGAN evolving to co-lead the “Under 40” domain and facilitate building connections among EU chapters to promote the mission to enrich, form connections, and inspire, as well as engage more young alumni to join the Network.
Michelle Solano–Board Recommended Incumbent
Business Management consultant and Board Member with 24 years of experience working for leading multinationals FMCG, Nutrition & Prestige Beauty organizations in Marketing (Brand Building, Media & Communications, Marketing Direction), Commercial, and Brand Direction positions. I’m based in Mexico City. I’m passionate about helping others, personally or professionally, and I love to be a go-to person when they need some help, just listening or giving some advice, if sharing my experiences can help.
I have had the opportunity to be part of best-in-class organizations and learned from them, so I believe now is my turn to share this with other people.
- Engagement with P&G and P&G Alumni activities
I’ve worked for P&G Mexico affiliate from 1999 to 2008 in Brand and Corporate Media departments. Besides my function role, I participated as train the trainer for the You the Coach program and supported an elementary school with a class program lectured by PG employees.
I’m currently part of the P&G Alumni Mexico Chapter Board, I participate in the Events Team organizing networking activities throughout the year, as well as in the Philanthropy Team.
- Motivation to run for (re)election to the Board of the Global P&G Alumni Network
In Mexico, as in the rest of the word, we want to reach young ex-P&Ger to bring new people to the network, learn from the new generations, understand what motivates them to be part of the alumni community, provide them value-added benefits, and ensure continuity of the alumni project. Therefore, I’m interested in participating in the “Under 40” global team to be able to get worldwide learnings, propose new ways of attraction, and implement actions that will benefit the global community.
Eric Vanderschueren–Board Recommended Incumbent
- Engagement with P&G and P&G Alumni activities
Worked 32 years at P&G from 1983 to 2015, based in six countries (France, US, Spain, Belgium, and Singapore), with assignments in Finance and Marketing. The last 15 years were spent in Global roles.
On the Board of the P&G Alumni Network since 2017, operating as Treasurer. I work with the Chairman and fellow Board members to secure the success and the sustainability of the Network operations. With my Board colleagues, we have strengthened the financial viability of the Network and constantly look at opportunities to improve our business model.
- Motivation to run for (re)election to the Board of the Global P&G Alumni Network
My motivation to run for re-election is to keep expanding the reach of the Network and to strengthen and diversify the offerings to P&G Alums. It is a small token to pay back for all that I received from the Company. Another motivation is to have the opportunity to engage with fellow alums. P&Gers are the main asset of the Company and it is a sheer pleasure to engage and work with them.
New Nominations
In Alphabetical Order:
Basile Choueri–New Nomination
- Engagement with P&G and P&G Alumni activities…other things about me
I was hired by P&G in Aug 2001 as part of the initial team that established the Company in the Levant area. First hired as an ABM for Pantene & Crest, I found my passion in the Product Supply space, specifically Procurement. Initially for the Levant Hub but then I became one of the key members of the CEEMEA Purchasing team and managed several projects across the region along with running Procurement training for the Purchasing team.
I have been part of the P&G Alumni (UK Chapter) and have attended several chapter activities as well as engaged via various Webinars.
I left P&G in 2006 as I was head-hunted by BAT to establish their Indirect Procurement function across the Levant & Yemen region. Currently, I am the Operations Director for a recently established Business Unit within BAT called Beyond Nicotine where we are developing a portfolio (both Organic and Inorganic) of products to address consumer needs for Well-being & Stimulation, all products not including any Tobacco or Nicotine stimulants or even any form that is under BAT’s portfolio of brands (cigarette, e-cigarette or other). Our first launches are Functional Beverages (60ml shots) that are used for Mood Modulation using Caffeine, L-Theanine, and other natural ingredients/stimulants. My role is to design, develop, and implement the End-to-End Supply Chain, including the Supply Network, manufacturing the product at the required regulatory compliance level, and addressing all working processes and capabilities both upstream and downstream.
I have been based in London, UK for the last 15 years albeit I have been managing global roles working with people literally from across the world. I am originally born and raised in Lebanon.
I am also a co-founder and board member of an NGO that takes care of babies born with congenital heart diseases (called Heartbeat). The NGO was created in 2005 and we raise funds through concerts (that I contribute to preparing but also sing in) and Gala dinners where, every year we raised more than $1M and have helped operate on more than 350 kids per year.
- Motivation to run for election to the Board of the Global P&G Alumni Network
I am fully motivated by the vision and mission of the Global Alumni Network.
Particularly, I feel that the network can benefit much more from the talent, ideas, and resources that the Middle East and Africa can bring and that are currently both under-represented or not tapped well enough into. My added value is to be able to rally that network and ensure it can power P&Gers to impact both local and global communities.
Therefore, I want to become the point-person for the Middle East and African continent to engage more fully with existing active chapters. And be the conduit that will bring talent from these regions to the attention of the Global Network and bring ideas from active chapters in Europe, North- and Latin America, and Asia into the Middle East and Africa.
Tatiana Lannelongue–New Nomination
PROFESSION: Strategy, Financial, and Product Consultant to the High-Tech Industry.
LOCATION: Naples, Florida, USA (50%) ; Les Baux-de-Provence, FRANCE (50%).
LANGUAGES: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese (some).
EDUCATION: Electrical Engineer (B.S.E.E., M.S.) / Finance (CFA Program L1).
PASSIONS: Bringing to bear 30+ years of international experience in assisting companies, corporate to early-stage, to optimize, develop and deploy new products and services globally, maximize NPVs, and ensure success for the benefit of customers, employees, and shareholders.
- Engagement with P&G and P&G Alumni activities
I was part of the Engineering Organization at the European Technical Center (ETC) in Brussels from ~ 1985 to 1987. Our team was responsible for the ’harmonization’ of the electronic and software control systems used in all the detergent production sites across Europe. During my time at P&G, I worked on projects in France, the UK, Italy, Belgium, and Germany.
I have been part of the Catapult team since early 2023 and negotiated the contract with Republic, the Venture Capital firm selected to support fundraising for PGAN-led startups.
I have also been part of the PGAN Marketing & Comms team, representing the Catapult team, and have written several articles for publication: the PGAN newsletter, website, and LinkedIn page.
- Motivation to run for election to the Board of the Global P&G Alumni Network
Working with the Board and Catapult team to identify, deploy, and promote potential revenue-generating activities that do not violate the PGAN 501 (c) status.
Promoting the PGAN value proposition to our European and South American chapters.
José Ignacio Sordo Galarza–New Nomination
- Engagement with P&G and P&G Alumni activities
I began my career in Mexico City in CBD in 1987. Later, I relocated to Caracas, Venezuela, transitioning to IT and GBS, ultimately advancing to the role of Regional CIO for Latin America. Then moved to Cincinnati, assuming the responsibility for the Global IT Commercial Strategy, and retired in 2008.
I have actively engaged with the P&G Alumni Community in Cincinnati, Texas, and Mexico. I had the privilege to participate in speaking engagements for the Alumni community while also presenting the content of the two books I have written: “The Uncomfortable CEO” and “Leading with Strategic Thinking – Driving Strategy through Structure and Process”.
Other things about me
Bringing forth more than 25 years of experience steering global go-to-market strategies, commercial innovation, and digital transformation initiatives, I am a seasoned executive with a proven track record of success. My forte lies in program management, strategic planning, and catalyzing transformative change. Renowned for my vision-driven approach and exceptional communication skills, I have consistently delivered tangible results throughout my career. Currently residing in San Antonio, Texas, USA, I am fluent in both English and Spanish.
-I founded the Hispanic Innovation Center Chicago Foundation to support and promote the strategic use of information technology to advance educational achievement, impact community development, improve organizational structure, and implement workforce development initiatives within the non-profit sector.
-I am also on two non-profit Boards in San Antonio as their VP of Strategic Planning: ACTS Missions and Master Leadership Program.
- Motivation to run for election to the Board of the Global P&G Alumni Network
My foremost priority is to continue being relevant within the P&G Alumni community. My commitment lies in sharing insights from my leadership toolbox, particularly in the art of framing complex issues with utmost clarity in business terms. This proficiency aims to facilitate effective communication, enabling the Board to comprehend and make well-informed decisions. Through this ongoing engagement, I aspire to contribute meaningfully to the community´s collective knowledge and foster a collaborative environment.
Hanxi Zhao —New Nomination
Hanxi is currently a Managing Partner at Trustar Capital, (formerly known as CITIC Capital Partners), a Private Equity firm that focuses on control buyout opportunities globally and has completed over 80 investments since its inception in 2003 across China, Japan, the U.S., Europe, Australia/New Zealand. Trustar Capital currently manages USD7.8 billion of committed capital and has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, and New York.
Hanxi has been based in Shanghai, China since 2007 after she joined Trustar Capital. Over the past 16 years with the firm, she has become a successful investor with a proven track record of investing in international companies. Hanxi currently serves on the boards of numerous companies worldwide, including Erno Laszlo in the US, Axilone in France, LELO in Sweden, Trilogy in New Zealand, Jissbon, and eBeauty in China, to name a few. She is also the only female partner in the firm. Her success has inspired many other women in China to pursue demanding careers in private equity and investment, which have traditionally been male-dominated industries. Before joining Trustar Capital, Hanxi worked in Strategy Planning and Marketing at Dow Jones & Company in the U.S. and Asia. Before that, she held positions as a consultant at The Boston Consulting Group in the U.S. and as a Brand Manager at Procter & Gamble in China.
Hanxi is proficient in English, Chinese, Cantonese, and Japanese. She has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from Wuhan University
- Engagement with P&G and P&G Alumni activities
Hanxi worked for P&G China in the Brand Management and Marketing function from 1995 to 2000. She was one of the earliest Chinese Brand Managers to be promoted and led the Always and Tampax brands. Her achievement in launching Tampax for the first time in China and building the category was iconic because, at that time, Chinese women not only refrained from using Tampax but also held the perception that it would harm their virginity. Today, Tampax in China is a leading brand in the women’s hygiene product category.
Hanxi has always been actively involved in the P&G alumni network. For instance, her portfolio companies sponsored the P&G China Alumni Conference for multiple years. As a respected investor, she consistently makes time to offer guidance to P&G younger alumni seeking advice on starting their own businesses. Recently, she was assigned the role of Global Liaison and Development Director. This task has proven to be challenging due to the strict and complex regulatory requirements for overseas NGOs.
Hanxi has provided invaluable support to the effort to establish the P&G Alumni Foundation in China. She has utilized her network to connect with experts for consultation and recommended local partners to facilitate the lawful transfer of funds to the foundation in China. In less than half a year, there has been significant progress with the P&G Alumni Foundation, and Hanxi is the first Chinese donor to contribute to the Foundation this year.
- Motivation to run for election to the Board of the Global P&G Alumni Network
Hanxi’s motivation to run for the board stems from her deep pride in her experience as an ex-P&Ger. To pay this back, she commits to nurturing the alumni network and is dedicated to making a positive impact on a global basis.
As an active member of the P&G China alumni network, Hanxi has observed an opportunity to engage more Chinese alumni with the global alumni network. She has noticed low awareness and participation among Chinese alumni in global conferences and P&G’s philanthropy efforts. Given her accomplishments as a global leader, Hanxi desires to give back more to P&G and make a significant impact on the global community.
Hanxi brings significant contributions and expertise to the board and the community
Extensive Network: Hanxi possesses an extensive network in both the US and Asia business worlds due to her investment work. Her regular interactions with founders, senior executives, and investors enable her to bring sponsors and influential speakers to P&G events, enhancing networking and learning opportunities for alumni.
Strengthening Connections: Hanxi is committed to strengthening the connection between the China alumni network and the global network. She envisions hosting a global conference in China, providing Chinese alumni with the opportunity to contribute through sponsored auctions for the Global Foundation. This initiative not only promotes engagement but also showcases the vibrant Chinese alumni community.
Sharing Best Practices: Based in Shanghai and frequently traveling worldwide, Hanxi plans to meet with chapter chairs in different regions. Through these interactions, she aims to exchange ideas with other chapters and share the best practices implemented by the China alumni network. This collaborative approach fosters continuous improvement and mutual support among chapters.
Hanxi actively participates in several impactful initiatives outside of her professional endeavors:
Harvard Business School Mentorship Program: Hanxi joined the mentorship program at Harvard Business School, dedicating her time to assist young professionals facing career choices, workplace challenges, or seeking advice, and guidance.
Jiuqian Charity Sponsorship: Hanxi has been a steadfast supporter of Jiuqian, a renowned charity organization that focuses on providing holistic education to underprivileged children. Her support extends beyond financial contributions, as she and her children personally visit rural schools, engage in activities such as reading stories, teaching lessons, organizing summer camps, and even helping in infrastructure repairs like fixing water pipes. The children she supports have had the opportunity to attend prestigious high schools like the United World College, thus transforming their life trajectories. Additionally, Hanxi has provided scholarships to students in various organizations.
Covid-19 Response: When the pandemic first struck, particularly during the chaotic periods in Wuhan and later in the United States, Hanxi mobilized her resources to source and coordinate logistics for significant medical supplies. She made substantial donations to hospitals and nurses in both China and the US. Her contributions were acknowledged by her alma mater, Wuhan University, as she was recognized as one of the contributors.
Katherine Vellinga, Zirkova Vodka CEO & Co-founder
Published January 22, 2024 by pgalums in
Katherine Vellinga is the Co-founder and CEO of Zirkova, an award-winning ultra-premium vodka brand. She is a Ukrainian Canadian who first pursued a career with P&G in Product Supply but after the fall of the Soviet Union, she left P&G and moved to a newly independent Ukraine.
This is where Katherine developed her love for the origins and birthplace of vodka and was compelled to share this remarkable story of women Master Distillers, classical methods, and extraordinary spirits. Zirkova is now the top-selling vodka produced in Ukraine that is sold in Canada. More than just a brand, Katherine’s vision for Zirkova is a reflection of her own beliefs, of standing for the freedom to be and celebrate who you are, to toast and acknowledge others, and to create special moments that bring people together, so that everyone feels like they are part of one table. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about creating moments that unite, not allowing fear to guide our decisions, and creating a life by design vs default.
Karen Francis, Automotive Veteran, Board Chair & Advisor
Published January 15, 2024 by pgalums in
Karen C. Francis serves as Chairman of the Board of Vontier, a global transportation/mobility technology company, as well as on the Board of Polestar Automotive and Senior Advisor to TPG Global. Karen made a name for herself as one of the youngest female leaders in the automotive industry, serving as General Manager of the $8 billion Oldsmobile Division of General Motors and then as Vice President of Ford Motor Company, where she was responsible for the corporate venture capital group and global technology-driven business strategies.
Karen transitioned to Silicon Valley fifteen years ago and is deeply engaged with emerging automotive technology companies. Karen’s career has also included executive positions at Procter & Gamble, Internet Capital Group, Bain & Company, Berol Corporation, and Publicis. Karen graduated from Dartmouth College and has an MBA from Harvard Business School. And is the Owner of Limerick Lane Cellars, a 53-acre estate vineyard property in Northern California. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about mentorship and advocacy.
Isaac Saul, Tangle News
Published January 8, 2024 by pgalums in
So it’s a new year, and it’s going to be an interesting one. So what better way to start 2024 than by an introduction to a different perspective? P&G Alumni Co-host Rajiv Satyal, beyond being a world-class entertainer and comedian, also hosts the TanGent show, featuring conversations from fields of entertainment, politics, business, religion, and tech.
Rajiv recently sat down with journalist Isaac Saul, whose newsletter and podcast TANGLE NEWS (ReadTangle.com) is an increasingly relevant source of independent, non-partisan news summarizing the best arguments from across the political spectrum on the news of the day. Rajiv and Isaac covered a lot of topics including the political makeup of Tangle’s audience, and how our news sources dictate our outlook and discourse. It’s a down-the-middle approach that might give you some pause. So wherever you’re coming from, we hope you’ll enjoy this candid conversation about how and where we get our news for a very important year to come.
2023: This year’s Learnings from Leaders
Published January 2, 2024 by pgalums in
As 2023 comes to a close, we compiled some of the year’s learnings from leaders. So sit back with your beverage of choice and enjoy. And give us a gift – leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — hearing from YOU, our fellow Alums makes a big difference for our team as we reflect on the year. THANK YOU for the continued support of our podcast and our amazing guests…
Heard something you missed? Be sure to go back and check out each guest’s full episode. Got a suggestion for a future episode? Send a note to pgalums@gmail.com — we’d love to hear from you! Thanks for your continued support of our Learnings from Leaders podcast!
Remembering Dan Hamilton (1969-2022) with Aaron Fetters & Bob Arnold
Published December 11, 2023 by pgalums in
Dan Hamilton was a longtime friend and mentor to many. An experienced marketing, media, and creative leader who passed away suddenly last December of 2022. This is the second of two conversations with friends and colleagues who knew Dan—this one with two fellow P&G Digital Alums: Bob Arnold, now a Media Innovation leader at Google, and Aaron Fetters, now CEO of Transparent Partners.
Dan Hamilton was a dreamer, a mentor, and someone who had a passion for coloring outside the lines and breaking all the rules while bringing us along for the ride. Dan was a bandmate, a father, and a friend. He was born in Seattle in 1969 to Valerie and Vernon “Bud” Hamilton. Bud is a fellow P&G Alum who retired after 37 years as a VP in Sales, Marketing, and Governance, and one of the reasons Dan came to P&G. Dan grew up in Cincinnati later studied journalism and jazz guitar at the University of Cincinnati and CCM, he co-founded the band Spookfloaters, which he toured with, then went back get his Masters of Computer Science from Miami of Ohio, after which he joined P&G as one of the earliest digital marketing managers, starting in the beauty business on Olay. Dan quickly changed the game in digital, rising to become the media leader of Olay, arguably one of P&G’s most innovative brands in marketing and media during Dan’s tenure. Over nearly 15 years Dan worked across Olay digital, Olay media, Olay design, P&G’s corporate brand, and personal care. Dan spent another seven years in Colorado as a marketing, media, and creative leader at WhiteWave Foods, as it later merged with Danone. In 2021 he joined Ocean Spray as the company’s Head of Marketing Center of Excellence.
Across his entire career, Dan was a friend and mentor to the many who had the privilege of working with him. He was always one of the Alums we wanted to reconnect with on this Learnings from Leaders podcast, but we regret missing our chance. So to capture some of the “Learnings from Dan” – we wanted to share a few stories from those who knew him well.
Got a Dan story? Please send an email or voice memo to pgalumpod@gmail.com – we’d love to hear it and share it with the many friends and family who survive him. We know you’ll enjoy this candid conversation about our good friend Dan.
Remembering Dan Hamilton (1969-2022) with Monisha Dabek
Published December 4, 2023 by pgalums in
Dan Hamilton was a longtime friend and mentor to many – an experienced marketing, media, and creative leader – who passed away suddenly last December of 2022.
This is the first of two conversations with friends and colleagues who knew Dan over the years – this one with Monisha Dabek, Chief Commercial Officer of Ocean Spray Cranberries, who was one of Dan’s friends and partners in his most recent professional adventures at Ocean Spray and Whitewave.
Dan Hamilton was a dreamer, a mentor, and someone who had a passion for coloring outside the lines and breaking all the rules while bringing us along for the ride. Dan was a bandmate, a father, and a friend. He was born in Seattle in 1969 to Valerie and Vernon “Bud” Hamilton. Bud is a fellow P&G Alum who retired after 37 years as a VP in Sales, Marketing, and Governance, and one of the reasons Dan came to P&G. Dan grew up in Cincinnati later studied journalism and jazz guitar at the University of Cincinnati and CCM, he co-founded the band Spookfloaters, which he toured with, then went back get his Masters of Computer Science from Miami of Ohio, after which he joined P&G as one of the earliest digital marketing managers, starting in the beauty business on Olay. Dan quickly changed the game in digital, rising to become the media leader of Olay, arguably one of P&G’s most innovative brands in marketing and media during Dan’s tenure. Over nearly 15 years Dan worked across Olay digital, Olay media, Olay design, P&G’s corporate brand, and personal care. Dan spent another seven years in Colorado as a marketing, media, and creative leader at WhiteWave Foods, as it later merged with Danone. In 2021 he joined Ocean Spray as the company’s Head of Marketing Center of Excellence.
Across his entire career, Dan was a friend and mentor to the many who had the privilege of working with him. He was always one of the Alums we wanted to reconnect with on this Learnings from Leaders podcast, but we regret missing our chance. So to capture some of the “Learnings from Dan” – we wanted to share a few stories from those who knew him well.
Got a Dan story? Please send an email or voice memo to pgalumpod@gmail.com – we’d love to hear it and share it with the many friends and family who survive him. We know you’ll enjoy this candid conversation about our good friend Dan.
Carol Fusek on brain-based coaching - P&G Alumni Coaching
Published November 27, 2023 by pgalums in
Carol Fusek is a Neuroleadership Institute brain-based coach who works with individuals, organizations and families to help them thrive. Currently based in Singapore, Carol was P&G’s Asia’s Associate Director of Customer Service & Logistics, where during her 26-year career with P&G she held various leadership roles.
As a coach, Carol’s coaching is influenced by brain science and how it can shape leaders and teams. In this candid conversation, we discuss how brain-based coaching can bring about lasting change. Carol shares about the SCARF model — which involves five domains of human social experience: Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, and Fairness — a powerful neuroscience-based model for coaching. We explore hot topics – inclusion, psychological safety, and trust. We talk about how leaders and organizations can prepare for change and a lot more.
This is a continuation of our series with P&G Alumni Coaching where leading Alumni will dive deep into relevant topics. Just as professional athletes have a coach to help them perform at their best, coaching can help you thrive in your career and life, through powerful questioning, exploration, and action planning. P&G Alums can learn more and sign up for their first free session at coaching.pgalums.com.
Annie Duke, Author “How to Decide” & “Thinking In Bets”
Published November 13, 2023 by pgalums in
Annie Dukeis an author and a consultant in the decision making space, as well as a former professional poker player. Annie is the only woman to have won the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions and the NBC National Poker Heads Up Championship. Prior to becoming a professional poker player, Annie was awarded a National Science Foundation Fellowship to study cognitive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.
Annie is the co-founder of the Alliance for Decision Education, a nonprofit whose mission is to improve lives by empowering students through decision skills education. My discussion with Annie focuses on her recent book, “How to Decide, Simple Tools for Making Better Choices.”
But Annie is not exactly a P&G Alumni, so what’s the deal? Alongside our partners at P&G, we’re thrilled to share another episode of P&G’s “More Than Soap” podcast – available exclusively each week to P&G Employees at GetMoreThanSoap.com. On “More Than Soap,” P&G shares weekly conversations with Inspiring guests, unique perspectives, and unconventional ideas. “More Than Soap” is P&G’s official internal podcast – available to all 100,000 P&G employees worldwide, and hosted by Dorion Positano, P&G’s Director of New Business and Content Innovation and AI Integration Strategy. Interested in learning more about P&G’s “More Than Soap” podcast, or P&G Studios, can reach out directly to Dorion on LinkedIn. GetMoreThanSoap.com
Kenneth Chan, former CEO, McDonald’s China
Published November 6, 2023 by pgalums in
Kenneth Chan is a seasoned CEO and Organization Leader with over 30 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies such as P&G, McDonald’s, PepsiCo, and Singapore Airlines. Kenneth was McDonald’s Chief Executive Officer for China and Division President for the Greater China region between 2009 to 2015.
Kenneth led an organization of 150,000 employees and oversaw the fastest period of expansion at that time — opening over 1,000 restaurants in the span of 5 years. Kenneth was awarded the prestigious “Overseas CEO Award” at the Singapore Business Awards (2014), as well as the “Leading CEO Award” by the Singapore Human Resources Institute (2007).
He now serves as a strategic advisor and executive mentor. You’ll enjoy this deep, humble conversation on creating one’s authentic leadership style, how Asians can become strong leaders, and the importance of values during adversity.
Derrick Booker, L’Oreal SVP & Head of Brand, Thayers Natural Remedies
Published October 24, 2023 by pgalums in
Derrick Booker is currently the SVP and Head of Brand for Thayers Natural Remedies at L’Oreal but has had a varied path before joining a beauty-focused company. Armed with a degree in microbiology from Miami University, Derrick started his career with medical and consumer brand marketing roles in Oral Care at P&G. He is an accomplished research scientist having led the clinical claims support strategy as a Clinical Trial Manager for P&G’s North American Oral Care R&D organization. Derrick then went on to join Pfizer, where he worked on prescription to over-the-counter switching, Advil, and Pediatric brands. In 2020, Derrick was recognized among the top 100 under 50 emerging and executive leaders, by Diversity MBA Chicago and continues to inspire leaders with his authentic leadership and focus on building relationships and leaning into our truths. You’ll enjoy this authentic, candid conversation about reframing feelings of not belonging and being underestimated to surprise others with personal excellence.
Carol Yang on the executive mindset shift—P&G Alumni Coaching
Published September 11, 2023 by pgalums in
Carol Yang is a certified Global Executive Coach (ICF PCC) with 23 years of global leadership experience across Fortune 500 companies—like P&G and the Timberland Company, where she was VP of Global marketing. As an Executive Coach, Carol works with senior leaders around the world, with an emphasis on empowering female leaders to move up and thrive in bigger, more complex roles. Carol’s clients include senior leaders at Goldman Sachs, Merck, P&G, Agile Technology and others.
Going beyond her own career journey, Carol shares relevant advice on the mindset shift needed to ascend into senior executive roles. This is the first in a series with P&G Alumni Coaching where leading Alumni will dive deep into relevant topics. Just as professional athletes have a coach to help them perform at their best, coaching can help you thrive in your career and life through powerful questioning, exploration, and action planning. P&G Alums can learn more and sign up for their free first coaching session at coaching.pgalums.com
You’ll enjoy this candid coaching conversation with Carol on not just the big mindset shift needed for executive growth, but also how to get clear on what we want, take ownership of your career, build self-awareness, and go beyond the buzzwords of building an authentic personal brand.
USA Travel Learnings V2: from Nebraska to Wyoming
Published August 31, 2023 by pgalums in
Join us for part TWO of our USA Travel series across the US with Raman and Drew Tarvin, author of “The United States of Laughter” and podcast co-founder, as they share stories and learnings from their travels across America.
Got travel learnings from the world that you want to share? Send a voice memo to pgalumpod@gmail.com, and maybe we’ll feature your story on a future episode!
And don’t forget to register for the P&G Alumni Global Conference in Washington DC – November 2-5, 2023. You’ll get to hear from many former P&G CEOs, C-Suite alumni leaders, and emerging trendsetters, all while networking with fellow P&G Alums. Learn more and register at pgalums.com
USA Travel Learnings V1: from Alabama to Montana
Published August 28, 2023 by pgalums in
We’re returning to one of our favorite topics—TRAVEL. We’re also turning our focus to the strange and foreign land known as the United States of America. Raman is joined by podcast co-founder Drew Tarvin, author of “The United States of Laughter,” as they share stories and learnings from their travels to all 50 American states. In the first of our two-part series, we’re covering from Alabama to Montana.
Got some travel learnings from anywhere in the world? Send a voice memo to pgalumpod@gmail.com, and maybe we’ll feature your story on a future episode!
And don’t forget to register for the P&G Alumni Global Conference in Washington DC on November 2-5, 2023. You’ll get to hear from many former P&G CEOs, C-Suite alumni leaders, and emerging trendsetters, all while networking with fellow P&G Alums. Learn more and register at pgalums.com
Jawad Bisbis—Ball Corporation, Global VP of Marketing
Published August 21, 2023 by pgalums in
Jawad Bisbis is the Global VP of Marketing at Ball Corporation where he leads marketing and partnerships for Ball’s aluminum cup business. Jawad was previously 7-Eleven’s VP of Proprietary Beverages, where he oversaw the coffee, fountain, and frozen business across 10,000 stores nationwide. Before joining 7-Eleven, Jawad was a VP of Marketing at Focus Brands, a food service chain where he provided marketing leadership across more than 50 international markets and 2000 stores. Jawad also worked for Luxottica as Group marketing director for the Middle East & Africa business, and fifteen years with The Coca-Cola Company in diverse markets and roles.
Jawad started his marketing career with Procter & Gamble where he held various brand management positions. He holds a Master’s Degree from Kedge Business School in France and is fluent in Arabic and French. Jawad is married with two children, and when he’s not working, he enjoys watching soccer, playing tennis, and mentoring college and early career youths in underserved communities. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about cultivating a different point of view and pushing yourself to be a lifelong learner.
Tim Ferriss - Entrepreneur, Author, and Podcaster
Published August 14, 2023 by pgalums in
Tim Ferriss is an American entrepreneur, author, and podcaster – best known for his book: the Four Hour Work Week, and his podcast: the Tim Ferriss Show. Tim has been listed as one of the fast company’s most innovative business people. Tim is an early-stage technology investor and advisor and is known in media as “the Oprah of Audio” due to the influence of his business and interview podcast being the first to exceed 200 million downloads. Tim is the author of four Number One New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers, including the Four Hour Work Week. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about balancing work and life, health and wellness, and many other topics.
But Tim is not exactly a P&G Alumni, so what’s the deal? Alongside our partners at P&G, we’re thrilled to share another episode of P&G’s “More Than Soap” podcast – available exclusively each week to P&G Employees at GetMoreThanSoap.com. On “More Than Soap,” P&G shares weekly conversations with Inspiring guests, unique perspectives, and unconventional ideas. “More Than Soap” is P&G’s official internal podcast – available to all 100,000 P&G employees worldwide, and hosted by Dorion Positano, P&G’s Director of New Business and Content Innovation. Interested in learning more about P&G’s “More Than Soap” podcast, or P&G Studios, can reach out directly to Dorion on LinkedIn. GetMoreThanSoap.com
ON TRAVEL: Qaisar Shareef, Former P&G Pakistan / Ukraine lead
Published August 9, 2023 by pgalums in
S. Qaisar Shareef is P&G’s former head of Pakistan and Ukraine, author of “When Tribesmen Came Calling,” and a longtime friend of the pod. But more importantly, he’s also a fellow lover of travel. Specifically in how travel allows each of us to experience new and different cultures. Qaisar is based in Washington DC, and a frequent columnist in News International Pakistan, and his recent article about his travels in Egypt speak to the importance of experiencing new and different cultures. Whether hitchhiking from Germany to Belgium, traveling the silk road thru Uzbekistan, wandering Afghanistan, or roaming ruins in Syria and Spain, Qaisar shares lessons and learnings from a world well traveled. Got learnings to share about your own travels? Let us know your favorites pgalumpod@gmail.com – with a voice memo or written story – and maybe we’ll feature your travel learnings on a future podcast!
Rajiv Satyal & Crossroads’ Brian Tomes on Curiosity & Comedy
Published July 1, 2023 by pgalums in
Recently P&G Alumni Co-host Rajiv Satyal sat down with Crossroads pastor and podcast host Bryan Tomes on his show “The Aggressive Life.” What started as an exploration of Rajiv’s comedy career and approach turned into an open and honest conversation between two very different perspectives on politics, faith, and culture.
With the Fourth of July right around the corner for Americans, we celebrate our independence and freedom but also take an honest reflection on who we are (and want to be) as a nation and as a people. With today’s level of division and discord, the importance of talking and listening to others who might not look and think like us cannot be overstated. There is a better way than simply passively standing by and retreating to our echo chambers. It’s about seeking to understand, which was one of the values many of us were taught during our time at P&G. We hope you’ll enjoy this candid conversation about comedy and curiosity.
Mohit Das, Microsoft’s Senior Solution Architect
Published June 22, 2023 by pgalums in
Mohit Das is a Senior Solution Architect for Retail and CPG customers at Microsoft. Prior to his current role, Mohit built a 26-year career in Consumer Products & Retail, Health Care, and Strategy consulting. Most recently, Mohit was with the Kellogg Company as the Vice President for the Global Commercial Analytics Centre of Excellence, driving data and analytics transformation across the entire commercial value chain.
Before Kellogg’s, Mohit worked at McKinsey, Abbott Nutrition, and Procter & Gamble, where he started his career and later served in several Strategy, Insight & Analytic roles within categories like Fabric & Home care, Hair & Beauty Care, and Pet Foods in Asia and the US. Mohit earned a bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management.
On the personal front, Mohit has lived with his family in Singapore, Bangkok, Mumbai, Cincinnati, and Chicago, where he currently resides. He enjoys outdoor activities and is regular at tennis and practicing yoga. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about the importance of finding balance in life.
Fama Francisco, P&G’s CEO Global Baby, Feminine, & Family Care
Published June 18, 2023 by pgalums in
Fatima (Fama) D. Francisco is P&G’s CEO of Global Baby, Feminine, and Family Care—the company’s second-largest sector with $20 billion in sales from brands like Pampers, Always, Bounty, and Charmin. Throughout her career, Fama has been a true trailblazer, including being the first female sales manager hired in P&G Philippines in 1989, among the youngest women promoted to President, and the first Asian female Sector CEO in P&G’s 186-year history.
Fama is a respected leader with a track record of turning around businesses, including during her time in North America Baby Care, while at the helm of Global Feminine Care, and as the Baby & Feminine Care Sector CEO. An inspiring leader, Fama is a role model known for championing gender and intersectional equality. She is also an advocate for mental health and leads her business with empathy and openness building resilient teams who she empowers to rise up to their full potential. She has four children and currently lives with her family in Cincinnati. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about resiliency, and being a trailblazer in an organization.
Angie Hicks, Co-Founder at Angie’s List
Published June 12, 2023 by pgalums in
Angie Hicks is the Co-founder of Angie’s List & Chief Customer Officer at Angie Home Services. Angie Co-founded Angie’s List in 1995 and served as CMO and on the company’s Board of Directors. In 2007 she led the merger with IAC Home Advisors to form Angie Home Services. Angie received her MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from DePaul University, which has honored her with a Distinguished Alumni Award for Management and Entrepreneurship, and with the Robert C McDermott Medal for Excellence and Entrepreneurship. Angie’s also the recipient of numerous awards including the Indiana Commission for Women Torchbearer Award for Entrepreneurial Accomplishments, the TechPoint Trailblazer Award, Harvard Business School’s Alumni Achievement Award, and Woman Tech Founder of the Year. In this P&G Alumni Enrichment webinar, you’ll enjoy hearing about Angie’s personal story of entrepreneurship and navigating through work and life’s many changes.
Jaideep Bansal, Co-Founder & CEO at Global Himalayan Expedition
Published June 6, 2023 by pgalums in
Jaideep Bansal is the CEO of Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) Impact Ventures and one of the P&G Alumni Leaders Under 40. Jaideep worked with P&G in Product Supply for almost 6 years before becoming a social entrepreneur. With GHE, Jaideep is bringing sustainable development to the remotest communities in India.
GHE brings solar energy and sustainable development to half a million people across five remote regions in India. Jaideep and his team are the winners of the 2020 UN Climate Action Award. GHE’s work has been documented by National Geographic, BBC, and NDTV, and awarded by the WTTC and the World Tourism Awards. Jaideep has been featured repeatedly at Davos among the top leaders inspiring change in the world. He is also an Asia Foundation Fellow and has been recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about social entrepreneurship and living a purpose-driven life.
Shankar Viswanathan, P&G’s former Asian Head of E-Business
Published May 22, 2023 by pgalums in
Shankar Vishwanathan was P&G’s SVP E-Business leader for Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa — a 32-year veteran of the company starting in India as an Account Manager, with a career in brands and categories across India, USA, Russia, Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philippines. For Shankar, leadership starts with people — he believes in the power of relationships to unleash the best in others. Shankar is also a practitioner of yoga and mindfulness and is a trainer instructor in both. A proud husband and father, Shankar is very involved in philanthropy, having led the Force for Good program in Singapore, started a school for orphans in Vietnam, and helped educate children through direct support and coaching. You’ll enjoy this candid, vulnerable conversation with an accomplished international leader.
Beth Nguyen, Author & Professor
Published May 14, 2023 by pgalums in
In real life, Bich Minh Nguyen now goes by the name Beth Nguyen – Beth is an award-winning writer and professor. In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, we wanted to share a conversation from the other podcast Modern Minorities – which features minority voices for all of our majority ears.
Born in Saigon, Beth is the author of books like Stealing Buddha’s Dinner, Short Girls, Pioneer Girl, and Owner of a Lonely Heart – her memoir in essays about post refugee life coming out later this year.
Beth 2021 New Yorker article – “America Ruined My Name For Me” unpacks a necessary conversation about identity, adaption and assimilation – especially for those whose name is not hard to pronounce or understand. A refugee and a mother, Beth’s moving work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, The New York Times, and Literary Hub. Beth’s awards and honors include an American Book Award, a PEN/Jerard Award from the PEN American Center, a Bread Loaf fellowship, and best book of the year honors from the Chicago Tribune and Library Journal. Beth has taught at Purdue University and the University of San Francisco – she is and is currently a professor of creative writing at the University of Wisconsin. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about growing between the cultures of two worlds
Shailesh Jejurikar, P&G’s Chief Operating Officer
Published May 7, 2023 by pgalums in
Shailesh Jejurikar is P&G’s Chief Operating Officer, where he has profit/loss responsibility for P&G’s Enterprise Markets – Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe – and leads Information Technology, Global Business Services, Sales, Market Operations, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Distribution and New Business for the company. Previously, Shailesh was the Chief Executive Officer of P&G’S largest business sector, Fabric & Home Care, which includes many of P&G’s most-iconic brands: Tide, Ariel, Downy, Gain, Febreze, Swiffer—and represents about one-third of total company sales and net earnings.
From 2016 to 2021, Shailesh served as executive sponsor for global sustainability, enabling P&G’s “force for growth and a force for good” vision and ensuring the company’s sustainability goals are fully integrated into the day-to-day business to enable—and to inspire—positive impact on the environment and society while creating value for the company, consumers and shareholders. Shailesh’s extensive P&G career has spanned 30+ years – across multiple businesses (Health & Beauty Care, Home Care, Fabric Care and P&G Professional) in both developed and developing regions – including North America, Europe, Asia and Africa) – getting his start in his home country in India. Shailesh is known for his unique ability to identify growth possibilities, having consistently delivered strong business results in every market and on every business. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation on curiosity, seeing around corners, and learning to learn.
Franz Dill on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Published April 23, 2023 by pgalums in
Franz Dill is a retired P&G Technologist and independent consultant in AI and analytics. We wanted to tap into Franz’s experience and expertise in technology to talk about Artificial Intelligence (AI) – a topic that is suddenly, everything, everywhere, all at once. Franz worked at P&G for 30+ years, where he served as a Chief Scientist for analytics and as an emergent technologist. He founded P&G’s groundbreaking contextual innovation centers, established the company’s Web 2.0 capabilities, wrote one of the most-read blogs in the organization, and was also a member of the Cognitive Alliance Analysis Council.
Since retiring in 2008, Franz has remained an active consultant in Business Intelligence and Marketing, Retail Innovation, AI, and Business Process Improvement. Franz has also consulted with groups like GE Aviation and as an adjunct professor at Columbia University. Franz has a degree in astrophysics from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master’s in Industrial Mathematics from the University of Florida. With the rapid advancements in AI changing every day, things discussed in this March 2023 conversation may already have moved – but there are a lot of fundamentals in this candid conversation that make sense.
Ed Artzt (1930-2023): P&G’s former CEO & Chairman (1990-1995)
Published April 17, 2023 by pgalums in
Ed Artzt served as P&G’s CEO and Chairman from 1990 to 1995. During his extensive 41-year career, Ed worked in multiple business sectors. To each, he brought strong leadership, strategic insight, remarkable decisiveness, and an unrelenting drive to be number 1. His time as the Chief Executive was a period of unprecedented change in the global marketplace. Ed foresaw and implemented innovative transformations from restructuring the organization’s design, the divestiture of non-strategic businesses, new acquisitions, opening up new markets, and building the diversity of P&G’s leadership. He addressed these decisions with courage and conviction in ways that reflected the company’s Purpose, Values, and Principles. Ed is credited as the principal architect of P&G becoming a global business. During his tenure, international sales grew from less than 10% to accounting for over half of P&G’s worldwide sales. He oversaw the transformation of US and European brands like Pantene, Always, Pampers, and Ariel into global brands. P&G’s reach quintupled from one to five billion consumers.
Ed also served on the boards of American Express, Delta Airlines, GTE, and Teradyne. He was active in foreign affairs and an influential advocate of world trade and on President Clinton’s Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations.
With Ed’s recent passing in April 2023, we wanted to honor his memory, by replaying our 2020 conversation where Ed shared his perspectives on the importance of storytelling and the competitive advantage of integrity. His stories illuminate concrete lessons from both P&G’s successes and failures which speak directly to the challenges business leaders continue to face today.
READ THE BOOK — For more on Ed’s life and learnings – be sure to purchase his memoir / oral history: “P&G the Globalization Years: Lessons Learned during Procter & Gamble’s Transformation from an American Exporter to a Global Marketer”
Daniela Riccardi, Moleskine's CEO
Published April 14, 2023 by pgalums in
Daniela Riccardi is a proven CEO with extensive experience operating businesses and brands in the international consumer and retail industry. She’s currently the CEO of Moleskine and has also led as CEO of iconic luxury and fashion brands like Baccarat and Diesel. Daniela got her career start over 25 years ago at Procter & Gamble, where she held numerous senior roles including Vice President in Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela. From 2001 to 2004, she worked as Vice President and General Manager for Eastern Europe and Russia, based in Moscow. From 2005 to 2010, she was President of Procter & Gamble Greater China.
Daniela has also served as a member of the board of WPP, the world’s largest agency holding company, and the French Luxury goods company, and graduated Magna cum Laude from the University of Rome—La Sapienza (Italy) and holds degrees in Political Science and International Studies. Prior to that, she completed professional studies in classic and modern dance at the National Dance Academy in Rome. She speaks fluent French, English, Spanish, and Italian. You’ll enjoy this candid talk on leadership, heritage & modernity from the 2019 P&G Alumni Global Conference in Madrid.
Jon Moeller, P&G’s Chairman & CEO
Published April 11, 2023 by pgalums in
Jon Moeller is P&G’s current CEO & Chairman. Jon has been an integral part of P&G’s leadership team for over two decades, developing strategies that P&G people are executing with excellence to drive the company’s growth today. Prior to becoming CEO, Jon served as P&G’s Chief Operating Officer for six years, and also held the role of P&G’s Chief Financial Officer for more than twelve years Since joining P&G in 1988 as a cost analyst, Jon has held various senior leadership roles in categories, sectors, and regions, including assignments in China, as the company’s Treasurer, Global Beauty, Health, Feminine Care Finance Senior VP, and Corporate Forecasting & Analysis. Jon is active in the business, civic and cultural leadership of Greater Cincinnati, serving in an advisory role on local Boards, and is a Trustee Emeritus and Former Chairman of the Cincinnati Art Museum Board of Trustees. In this P&G Alumni Enrichment webinar conversation on meeting the moment – Jon talks about the journey that P&G has been on recent years – and looks ahead to the future.
Bracken Darrell, Logitech’s CEO on Humor That Works
Published April 3, 2023 by pgalums in
Bracken Darrell is President & CEO of Logitech, where for more than a decade he’s been the driver for Logitech’s continued growth and profitability. Prior to joining Logitech, Bracken spent a decade in executive roles at Whirlpool, Braun, and General Electric—and also worked in brand management at P&G. Prior to receiving his MBA from Harvard, Bracken worked at Arthur Anderson and PepsiCo.
Bracken’s a longtime “Friend of the Pod,” so we wanted to feature another chat he had with our favorite Humor Engineer and Co-host Andrew Tarvin, in one of Drew’s ”Humor Talks.” You’ll enjoy hearing Bracken share his recognition of the power of humor for creating a fun workplace. Now more than ever, it’s important to be able to be your authentic self at work, and for so many people, that includes humor. But Bracken knows that humor at work doesn’t have to mean telling jokes (he doesn’t think he’s a particularly funny person). He’s more in the moment, improvising or reacting quickly to what is said—a great mindset for building humor. This conversation may also feature stories about Jack Welch, and the naming of a cat in this candid conversation that, no surprise, is a fun one.
Misha Euceph: Dustlight Productions Founder & CEO
Published March 27, 2023 by pgalums in
Misha Euceph is a Pakistani-American writer, podcast host, and producer. She also happens to be the Founder & CEO of Dustlight Productions, the critically acclaimed podcast studio that has created podcasts with Spotify, Bruce Springsteen, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Rolling Stone, REI, Subaru, and many more. She’s also the creator and host of the podcast “Tell Them, I Am” – a series about the small defining moments in our lives—where the voices are all Muslim, but the stories are universal. The NY Times, LA Times, TIME, The Atlantic, Esquire, Cosmopolitan, and Huffington Post, have named it among their best podcasts. Misha is also frequently featured in The Wall Street Journal, IGTV, and McSweeney’s. Misha and Dustlight want to make mission-driven podcasts for and with awesome people—but they also train those who want to push the boundaries of audio and tell beautiful stories.
Misha got her Master’s in Journalism at Northwestern University and has taught as an adjunct professor at USC Annenberg and the Transom Radio Workshop. Misha started work in podcasting in 2017, at the dawn of the podcasting era, and has quickly become an important voice for today’s times, speaking on storytelling, identity, and ethical entrepreneurship. In a word, Misha is a podcast.
This insightful and entertaining conversation on identity and belonging comes from P&G Alumni Co-host Rajiv Satyal’s talk show “What Do You Bring To The Table” — where Rajiv spotlights prominent South Asian voices. Rajiv has spoken with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Comedian Hasan Minhaj, author Deepak Chopra, influencer Lilly Singh, journalist Manu Raju, TV personality Tan France, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and many more. You can SEE lots more of Rajiv’s video conversations at WatchRajiv.com.
Charlotte Otto: P&G’s former Global External Relations Officer
Published March 17, 2023 by pgalums in
Charlotte Otto served as P&G’s Global External Relations Officer for 13 years, and later as Senior Corporate Advisor to PR industry leader Weber Shandwick for six. At P&G, Charlotte led the company’s external relations activities worldwide—including media relations, employee and shareholder communications, government and community relations, and corporate contributions.
During Charlotte’s 33-year career at P&G, she rose through the ranks of Brand Management and Corporate Comms and was the trusted counselor to five P&G CEOs. In fact, Charlotte was P&G’s first female corporate officer. Charlotte has received numerous industry accolades—including being named Woman of the Year AND Corporate Woman of the Year by the Cincinnati Enquirer, as well as receiving the Matrix Award for Public Relations, and the prestigious Paladin award. Charlotte’s a proud Purdue Alum, where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees—and she even studied at the Culinary Institute of America.
In a great conversation about intention and serendipity, you’ll learn about the power of embracing a path never imagined, and removing our own blinders to be truly intellectually honest and objective about whatever situations we may face.
This episode originally aired in April 2021
Bob Gilbreath: 2x-exit Entrepreneur on Career Changes
Published March 13, 2023 by pgalums in
Bob Gilbreath is a longtime friend of the pod, a career friend, and a mentor to many. He is also a 2x-exit entrepreneur and co-founder of Hearty, a curated matchmaking service that combines top software developers with early-stage, venture-backed startups. He recently wrote a post entitled “Thinking of a Career Change? Try the Minimum First” – so we decided to sit down with him to learn more.
You can read more of Bob’s writings at behearty.substack.com
Peg Wyant: P&G’s first female Brand Manager, Grandin Properties Founder & CEO
Published March 4, 2023 by pgalums in
Peg Wyant is the Founder & CEO of Grandin Properties. But before that, Peg broke the glass ceiling at Procter & Gamble in 1967 – a decade before the phrase entered the lexicon. When the company tried to put her in the typing pool, she responded with, “All I can do is think, don’t you have a test for that.”
She rose through the ranks, becoming a serial “first female” including first brand manager and first direct report to then CEO John Smale as head of strategic planning and acquisitions. After leaving P&G to become an almost full-time mom, Peg sought other challenges — consulting for Fortune 500 CEOs, and founding a venture capital fund focused on women-led companies. Peg soon launched Grandin Properties, a real estate development and management company focusing on walkable urban neighborhoods in Cincinnati. Beyond her career, Peg helped found the P&G Alumni Network and the Women’s Capital Club. Peg’s new book is called One Red Shoe: The Story of Corporate America’s First Woman. Alongside her husband Jack, Peg has four children and nine grandchildren. You’ll enjoy this insightful conversation about what it takes to persevere when the odds may be against you and to challenge the status quo, outperform, and break through boundaries.
This episode originally aired in November 2021
Susan Baba Oguche, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chief Communication Officer
Published February 25, 2023 by pgalums in
Susan Baba Oguche is the Cleveland Cavaliers EVP and Chief Communication Officer. For nearly two decades she has had the honor of leading communications and PR for some of the world’s most beloved companies and brands.
Previously Susan served as a Communications Director at Nike for three years. She also served in senior comms roles at Sleep Number Corporation, Home Chef, and Abbott. Susan got her start over eleven years at P&G in Communications working on brands like Gillette and Braun, as well as across Skincare and Homecare brands. Susan is driven by creative curiosity and a journalist’s heart for the story beneath the surface, helping companies identify and connect with their missions, navigate moments of crisis, and inspire the world with their unique story. Hailing from Nigeria as a child, Susan moved across major cities with her university professor’s parents and got her start at P&G through a youth organization called INRoads.org . Susan now returns to Ohio with her husband and two daughters. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about speaking authentically, where your words have to follow your actions.
Ed Rigaud, Founder, National Freedom Center
Published February 13, 2023 by pgalums in
Ed Rigaud was the Founder & CEO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, which pays tribute to all efforts to abolish human enslavement and secure freedom for all people.
At Procter & Gamble, Ed was P&G’s second-ever Black Vice President, spanning a 36-year career at the company in 1965 – during which he was the R&D Technical Brand Manager who helped create Pringles. Ed was later the first Black co-owner + lead investor of the Cincinnati Reds, as well as CEO of EnovaPremier, and CEO of Legacy Acquisition. Ed has served on numerous company boards and has received appointments from the Governor of Ohio and a sitting US President. He’s a husband, father, grandfather, accomplished artist, and guitar player.
In this candid conversation on race, work, and life—Ed shares his thoughts as a black man growing up in Louisiana, rising through the ranks of corporate America, and the current climate. Ed believes that his number one mission is to help those who have been consistently under-represented to achieve higher levels of freedom…especially in the areas of education, economic empowerment, and inclusion.
This episode originally aired in August 2020
Anne Sempowski Ward, CEO, Curio Brands
Published February 6, 2023 by pgalums in
Anne Sempowski Ward is CEO & Board Director at CURiO Brands, a consumer goods company that manufactures and sells personal care and home fragrance products.
Prior to CURiO Brands, Anne served as CEO at Thymes from 2012 to 2016 when it merged with DPM Fragrance to become CURiO Brands. Anne was previously CEO and Co-founder of consulting firm The FORWARD Group, focused on growth strategies for mid-sized companies and key executives. Anne was also President and COO of Ebony, Jet & Fashion Fair Cosmetics, Johnson Publishing Company. Ann also served as Assistant Vice President of African-American Marketing for the Coca-Cola Company, and she got her start at P&G, where she rose through the ranks from plant engineer in FemCare to Associate Marketing Director in P&G Beauty integrating Clairol, helping reinvigorate brands like Herbal Essences and scaling multicultural marketing.
An active member of civic and business communities, Anne has been recognized as a YMCA Black Achiever, YWCA Rising Star, Top Black Executive in a Major Corporation as well as a Woman at the Top by EBONY magazine. She was also the youngest and first African-American trustee on the P&G Fund. Anne is a Detroit native and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science from Duke University. She also earned a Global MBA degree from Duke University’s School of Business.
You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about finding your voice, evolving one’s communication style for effective leadership, and taking people on a journey with you.
Kirk Perry, IRI CEO, on Faith
Published January 27, 2023 by pgalums in
Kirk Perry is CEO of IRI Worldwide and one of our first guests (his threepeat!), returning for another learnings “deep dive” where we go deeper into a topic folks are passionate about. For Kirk, that topic is his faith. In this authentic, vulnerable, and revealing conversation you’ll hear of the grounded humility of Kirk’s faith, and how it permeates into the leader he chooses to be.
Kirk Perry is CEO of IRI Worldwide, a company that deals in big data analytics and insights that power, action, and growth. Previously Kirk served at Google for eight years as the Global President of Brand Solutions. Prior to joining Google Kirk was at P&G for 23 years – in various roles across marketing and general management – including President of Global Family Care and six years in Asia with assignments in South Korea and Japan. Kirk serves on the boards of The J.M. Smucker Company and Chick-fil-A, having previously served on the board of e.l.f. Cosmetics. Growing up from humble beginnings, Kirk and his family are also very active in giving back. Kirk is a member of the Cincinnati Innovation District Advisory Council and has been active with many nonprofit organizations, including board affiliations with The Ronald McDonald House, The CityLink Foundation, City Team, The United Way Campaign Cabinet, March of Dimes (national and regional), the University of Cincinnati Foundation, and the University of Cincinnati’s Bicentennial Commission. Kirk has also coached youth sports for more than 20 years. He and his wife, Jacki, have been married for more than 30 years and have four beautiful children.
In this ranging conversation between Kirk and co-host Rajiv Satyal, you’ll appreciate the value of how two people from different faiths and backgrounds can find common ground in their similarities and differences.
James Veraldi, LOOP Co-founder & CEO—Accomplished Entrepreneur
Published January 20, 2023 by pgalums in
James Veraldi is the CEO & Co-founder of Loop.co—a company focused on Improving the world’s social and mental health. So many of us—including the people we love and work with—have had struggles with mental health, and solving these challenges aligns with “touching lives, improving life.”
As an accomplished entrepreneur, James’ work embodies the very purpose, values, and principle-driven approach to work so many of us P&G’ers hold true. Mental and social health is especially a challenge for the younger millennial and Gen Z workforce today—which has a potentially massive impact on performance, productivity, and overall engagement and retention. If you’re a manager of people, an exec or HR stakeholder, you can learn more and sign up for a free 30-day trial for you and some of your colleagues—just visit Loop.co/work.
James began this recent chapter while serving as an Entrepreneur-In-Residence at GGV Capital. Prior to that, he led product strategy at TikTok, which he joined in early 2017 prior to its 2018 acquisition and rebranding from ByteDance. Prior to TikTok, James led content strategy at Snapchat, which followed his work as a founding team member at one of Youtube’s earliest partners Fullscreen, which was acquired by Otter Media in 2014. James worked extensively with P&G, Danone, and many other top brands when he co-led a small digital content agency called The ZiZo Group, leading his team to the earliest forefront of branded content marketing. James also had early career experiences at Target, Viacom, and Accenture. He spends a lot of his time in the climate & conservation spaces, where he has done a number of angel investments in climate tech, and founded a popular platform and podcast called Animalia where he leads discussions on a number of climate and conservation solutions. James is a dog lover, beekeeper, and even rehabilitates the occasional squirrel or crow. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about a career journey that led to a greater good—building meaningful solutions for the world of social and mental health—and you will hopefully be inspired on how you can make a difference.
Marlon Hernandez, Director of Innovation at Molson Coors Beverage Company
Published January 15, 2023 by pgalums in
Marlon Hernandez is Director of Innovation at Molson Coors Beverage Company where he’s leading the creation and expansion of the company’s new non-alcoholic beverages division, a part of the company’s revitalization plan launched in 2019. Marlon has spent 6 years rising through the innovation ranks of Molson Coors, and another 10 years in the spirits industry working in innovation for companies like Corby Spirit & Wine, and Pernod Ricard.
Marlon actually got his start in Venezuela at 3M as an Operations Manager and made the jump to marketing at P&G in Fabric & Home Care Latin America. Marlon received his MBA from the IESA—School of Management in Caracas, Venezuela. And studied Production Engineering at University Simón Bolívar in Production Engineering, where he also received his master’s degree in Statistics. Marlon lives in Chicago with his wife and their twins. You’ll enjoy this conversation on the evolution from brand management to product management—and hearing Marlon’s fundamental belief that the launch of a product is not the finish line, it’s just the beginning.
This is hopefully the first of many conversations with leaders on the topic of Innovation. We wanted to dive deeper into how innovation is evolving in today’s rapidly changing world—by taking a “look under the hood” of some innovative companies. Joining our conversation is P&G Alumni Wayne Fisher, President of Rockdale Innovation—a consulting group that helps companies build their internal innovation capability that has hosted more than a few Innovation events for both P&G and P&G Alumni. Got a reco for an innovation story we should share on the pod (we know there are more than a few of you out there)? Reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com
Tackling Imposter Syndrome—P&G Alumni Coaching
Published January 6, 2023 by pgalums in
With a new year comes a desire to get better—so we wanted to share a powerful conversation on tackling imposter syndrome AND the power of coaching. Research shows that 70% of people experience imposter feelings at some point in their careers. Recently, this important topic was discussed by several P&G Alumni Coaches: Carol Yang, Heidi Piper, Carol Fusek, and Ilhiana Rojas—all accomplished executives with global career experiences AND certified coaches from the P&G Alumni Women’s Leadership Forum.
Carol Yang spent 13 years at P&G, with 23 years of senior corporate experience across Asia Pacific and North America. As a coach, Carol has multiple certifications with a special focus on leadership mindset, behavior shifts, and positive intelligence. Carol is a firm believer that you are most successful when you lead from the core of who you are.
Heidi Piper spent 30 years at P&G, across the US, Belgium, and Germany. Currently, as a coach, she holds several certifications. Heidi believes we have our own innate wisdom and when we’re deeply listened to and really seen, heard, and accepted, we can achieve our full potential in work and in life.
Carol Fusek spent 26 years at P&G—starting in Cincinnati and then across Asia-Pacific in leadership roles, primarily in supply chain. As a coach, she is certified in the neuroscience of leadership and is a certified dementia practitioner. Carol believes that what makes leaders exceptional is their sense of people and ability to connect to the hearts and minds of the organization they lead.
Ilhiana Rojas started her career at P&G Mexico, after which she continued her career across different Fortune 500 companies in Mexico and in the US. As a coach, Ilhiana is focused on leadership development.
Over the new year, we’ll share more powerful coaching discussions with P&G Alumni Coaching—a recently launched program by the P&G Alumni Women’s Leadership Forum. Just as professional athletes have a coach to help them perform at their best, coaching can help you thrive in life. Coaching is for anyone willing to challenge themselves to go after their professional or personal aspirations through powerful questioning, exploration, and action planning. P&G Alumni can sign up for their first FREE coaching session on their website. Because unlocking your full potential is a great way to start the new year.
2022: A(nother) Year of Learnings from Leaders
Published January 2, 2023 by pgalums in
As 2022 comes to a close, we compiled some of the year’s learnings…from leaders. So sit back with your beverage of choice and enjoy. And give us a gift—leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts—hearing from YOU, our fellow Alumni, makes a big difference for our team as we reflect on the year. THANK YOU for the continued support of our podcast and our amazing guests…
- Suzy Deering: Ford Motor Company CMO
- Claire Elvers, Wayfair’s Head of Global Brand Management & Insights
- Matthew McConaughey, Academy Award-winning actor and producer
- Nitin Gajria, Google’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Christine Fisher, Possip Co-Founder & COO
- Marissa Solis, National Football League (NFL) SVP of Global Brand & Consumer Marketing
- Tristan Walker, Walker & Co, CEO & Co-Founder
- Sharon Hall, Walmart’s VP of Global Executive Recruiting
- Seaphes Miller, Founder & CEO of Fusion Integrated Solutions
- Andrew Tarvin & Raman Sehgal reflecting on 100+ episodes
- John Pepper & Qaisar Shareef on Understanding Ukraine & Russia
- Arianna Huffington, Thrive Global Founder & CEO
- Raj Rao, IBM’s GM for Blockchain Ventures
- Malcolm Gladwell, Author & Journalist
- Dian Alyan: GiveLight Foundation Founder & CEO
- Kevin Hochman, Kentucky Fried Chicken, President, Yum! Brands
- Ikdeep Singh, Mars Petcare President, North America
- Qaisar Shareef, P&G’s former head of Pakistan & Ukraine
- P&G Alumni Comedians: Greg Warren, Josh Sneed, Rajiv Satyal, Andrew Tarvin
- Mahzarin Banaji, Harvard Psychologist & ‘Blindspot’ Author
- Mike Shangkuan, Lingoda CEO
- Gary Vaynerchuk (VaynerX) & Bracken Darrell (Logitech): Masters of Digital Disruption
- Aftab Pureval, Cincinnati Mayor
- Kevin Shapiro, Coty SVP of US Marketing
- Julie Eddleman, DoubleVerify’s Global Chief Commercial Officer
- Jay Sethi: Diageo Beer Company CMO & SVP of Diageo Convenience
- Shelly McNamara: P&G’s Chief Equality & Inclusion Officer
- Guy Raz, NPR Producer & Journalist
- Jakub Kocinski, Digital Safety & Trust (P&G, Google, TikTok, Meta)
- Poliana Sousa, Latin America’s Coca-Cola™ Lead
- Vivek Sunder: Cuemath CEO
- Katie Couric, TV Journalist, Producer, & Author
- K Patrick Davis: Blue Buffalo VP & General Manager
- Ana Maria Henao, PepsiCo’s VP of Global Marketing Excellence
- TEDx Talks with P&G Alums: Drew, Ida, & Rajiv
- John Pepper & Ursula Burns’ (Xerox former CEO) on Race & Understanding
- Tom Asacker, P&G Trainer & Author
- David Youn, Master Lock, President
- Alonya Tkachenko, Nommi CEO & Co-founder
- Paul Polman, Unilever xCEO on “Net Positive”
- Kyle Schlegel, Weber’s VP Americas Marketing & DTC
- Judy Okten: The Power of Disconnecting
- Edward Norton – Actor, Director, Activist, Entrepreneur (from P&G’s “More Than Soap” Podcast)
- Jim Lafferty, Fine Hygienic Holding, CEO
- JOHN SMALE – John Pepper & David Taylor’s reflections on John Smale
- Chip Bergh, Levi’s CEO: Advocacy, Activism & John Smale
- Bob McDonald & Bob Gill’s reflections on John Smale
- Janet Reid & Gordon Brunner’s reflections on John Smale
- A.G. Lafley & Charlotte Otto’s reflections on John Smale
- Oya Canbas, Bayer Global Brand Director
- Vahe Ayvazian, Abbott Divisional Vice President of Marketing & Core Diagnostics
- Sudha Ranganathan, LinkedIn’s Director of Product Marketing
- David Taylor, P&G’s Former CEO & Chairman
Heard something you missed? Be sure to go back and check out each guest’s full episode.
Got a suggestion for a future episode? Send a note to pgalums@gmail.com—we’d love to hear from you! Thanks for your continued support of our Learnings from Leaders podcast!
David Taylor, P&G’s Former CEO & Chairman
Published December 26, 2022 by pgalums in
David Taylor served as P&G’s Chairman & CEO from 2015 to 2022—having worked at P&G for more than 40 years. Throughout his career, David held leadership roles within both operations and marketing, managing P&G manufacturing sites, and eventually leading various consumer brands across North America, Europe, and Asia. David reinvigorated P&G’s growth during his tenure, returning it to sustainable, balanced growth and value creation by simplifying the company’s management structure and empowering business leaders to drive operational excellence in their specific areas of responsibility. David also led the company during the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving both worker safety and supply chain resiliency. It goes without saying that David is among one of the great modern CEOs of P&G, steering the company through a trying time, and demonstrating the purpose, values, and principles that continue to make P&G not just the sustaining, successful business we know it to be, but also a culture of some of the best people in the business. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation covering not just the highlights of David’s storied career, but the reflections on his learnings along the way.
Sudha Ranganathan, LinkedIn, Director of Product Marketing
Published December 19, 2022 by pgalums in
Sudha Ranganathan is LinkedIn’s Director of Product Marketing in the Talent Solutions business—helping employers worldwide hire and develop strong talent in the new world of work. Sudha’s advocacy of consumer-centric marketing comes from a career spanning consumer insights and product marketing. Prior to LinkedIn, Sudha worked at Paypal as Senior Manager, Strategic Customer Insight, as well as at Affinova as VP of Strategic Account Development. Sudha got her start at P&G in Consumer Insights where she spent 7+ years working across Asian markets. Sudha earned her MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Mumbai. Sudha has a track record for developing high-performing, psychologically safe teams. As a trained CTI (Co-active Training Institute) coach, Sudha has a passion for unlocking the highest potential within individuals and teams. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about the importance of emotional intelligence for modern leaders.
Oya Canbas, Bayer Global Brand Director
Published December 12, 2022 by pgalums in
Oya Canbas is Global Brand Director and I&D Lead for Bayer Consumer Health—leading Bayer’s biggest nutritional brand, Elevit, globally—which has a purpose of giving every baby best start in life. She is also the global lead in Inclusion and Diversity. In her 8 years in Bayer Consumer Health, Oya held two GM roles in UK and Ireland, as well as in Turkey. Prior to Bayer, she established her career at Gillette and then in Procter and Gamble for 18 years in leadership roles across Turkey, the UK and Russia on brands like Pampers, Ariel, Fairy, Always, Head & Shoulders, Gillette and Oral-B. Born in South Africa, raised in Turkey, and now living in the UK, Oya is a passionate leader, brand builder, and a proud mother of two children. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about being a passionate learner, developing high-performing teams, and bringing out the best in people.
Vahe Ayvazian, Abbott Divisional Vice President of Marketing & Core Diagnostics
Published December 6, 2022 by pgalums in
Vahe Ayvazian is Abbott’s Divisional Vice President of Marketing & Core Diagnostics. Having served at Abbott for 8+ years, Vahe’s work is focused on delivering measurably better healthcare performance through innovation to the healthcare ecosystem. Vahe got his start at P&G, spending twelve years in marketing and category management roles, from Prilosec OTC to Pantene—where in haircare he helped turn around a decade of brand decline through simpler innovation and retailer understanding. Vahe earned his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and International Business at Indiana University, and has received executive certifications from the CMO program and Big Data from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business. A proud husband and father of two, Vahe is also on the board of a local school district educational foundation in the Chicago suburbs. Always curious, Vahe has honed his passion for building teams and organizational culture for sustainable growth. Through his early years in sports that greatly shaped his team player attitude, to the mentors at P&G that believed in him and demonstrated the importance of listening and being curious, Vahe pays it forward on the global teams he now leads through leadership, learning, and mentorship.
JOHN SMALE - A.G. Lafley & Charlotte Otto’s reflections on P&G’s former CEO
Published November 28, 2022 by pgalums in
A.G. Lafley and Charlotte Otto return to our podcast — as two P&G Alumni whose career was directly and influenced by John Smale and his unique style of leadership. A.G. Lafley served P&G’s CEO & Chairman twice, from 2000-2009 and 2013-2015. Charlotte served as P&G’s Global External Relations Officer for thirteen years—the company’s first female corporate officer. Both have a lot to share about the purpose-inspired, caring, yet demanding and principled leader that was John Smale.
This episode is the last of our series featuring reflections from leaders on John Smale, P&G’s former Chairman & CEO, who led P&G from 1981-1990, and served as General Motors’ Chairman from 1992-1995. These conversions are in honor of the new book “Here Forever: The Timeless Impact of John Smale on Procter & Gamble, General Motors, and the Purpose and Practice of Business” by Rob Garver, available now. While John Smale passed away in 2011—he is arguably one the most influential leaders of the modern era, growing P&G more than six-fold in his tenure. And yet Smale is largely unknown to many leaders guiding American and global businesses today. John’s leadership in developing a vision for corporate purpose was decades ahead of its time. This was a book years in the making by not just the author, but many of some of the biggest leaders in business. “Here Forever” is a compelling and insightful read we’d highly recommend, and will make a great holiday gift for the admired, or aspiring leaders in your life. Pick up a copy wherever you get your favorite books!
JOHN SMALE - Bob McDonald & Bob Gill’s reflections on P&G’s former CEO
Published November 22, 2022 by pgalums in
Janet Reid and Gordon Brunner are two P&G Alumni who had the privilege of coming up at the company during John Smale’s rise to leadership at P&G. Janet Reid is Founder, CEO, and Managing Partner of BRBS World, and spent 10 years as an early Brand Manager at P&G from 1980-1990. Gordon Brunner, a familiar guest on this podcast, was P&G’s former Chief Technical Officer, one of the company’s most renowned R&D executives, and the first R&D’er to sit on the company’s Board. Both have a lot to share about the purpose-driven, caring, demanding, and principled leader that was John Smale.
Throughout this month, we’ll be hearing reflections from leaders on John Smale, P&G’s former Chairman & CEO, who led P&G from 1981-1990, and served as General Motors’ Chairman from 1992-1995. These conversions are in honor of the new book “Here Forever: The Timeless Impact of John Smale on Procter & Gamble, General Motors, and the Purpose and Practice of Business” by Rob Garver, available now.
While John Smale passed away in 2011, he was arguably one the most influential leaders of the modern era, growing P&G more than six-fold during his tenure. And yet, Smale is largely unknown to many leaders guiding American and global businesses today. John’s leadership in developing a vision for corporate purpose was decades ahead of its time. This was a book years in the making by not just the author, but many of Pick up a copy wherever you get your favorite books.