Alex Keith, CEO of P&G's global Beauty business, shares her insights on bold decision-making and the power of human connections. She highlights her significant turnaround of the beauty sector since 2017 and her commitment to corporate sustainability and LGBTQ+ inclusion. With a strong military upbringing and a background in chemical engineering, Alex emphasizes the value of adaptability and mentorship in career growth. Plus, she shares her love for Italian cooking and ambitions to travel to Newfoundland, along with reflections on impactful historical figures.
Alex Keith advocates for being bolder in career choices, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities without waiting for ideal circumstances.
Her experience with mentorship highlights the need for advocacy in leadership, encouraging leaders to support and empower those around them.
Deep dives
Embracing Boldness in Career Choices
Alex Keith emphasizes the importance of being bolder in career decisions, reflecting on her own journey at Procter & Gamble. Despite a successful and fulfilling career, she expresses a desire to have taken more daring steps earlier in her life, both professionally and personally. Alex recognizes that many opportunities and experiences can be missed if individuals hesitate to pursue what they truly want. This perspective serves as a reminder to others to embrace risks and seize chances without waiting for the 'perfect' moment.
The Power of Advocacy and Support
Alex shares a pivotal moment in her career where a mentor's advocacy played a crucial role in her transition from product supply to marketing. Her plant manager championed her move, showcasing the significant impact of having someone believe in your potential. This experience taught her not only the value of mentorship but also the importance of paying it forward by supporting the aspirations of others. Alex's dedication to fostering a culture of advocacy continues to shape her leadership style, focusing on empowering those around her.
Finding Balance Amidst Challenges
Through a personal health challenge involving brain surgery, Alex learned the necessity of balance in life and work priorities. The experience taught her that it is important to shift focus from career to personal well-being when needed, highlighting that work should not dominate one's thoughts constantly. This realization helped her create a healthier perspective on work-life balance, one that recognizes the significance of personal health and the value of taking time for oneself. Alex's journey encourages others to reflect on their own priorities and strike a balance that aligns with their individual lives.
"Be bolder sooner - it's not just about my career, it’s about life in general.”
Alex Keith leads Procter & Gamble’s global Beauty business: the world’s 4th largest beauty company, with a $15 billion portfolio with six billion dollar brands. Alex is the only female CEO of a top 5 beauty company. Since taking leadership of P&G’s Beauty portfolio in 2017, Alex has driven the sector’s turnaround. As Executive Sponsor for Corporate Sustainability, Alex works alongside P&G’s Chief Sustainability Officer to guide the Company’s sustainability progress. She is also the company’s Executive Sponsor of LGBTQ+ Equality & Inclusion. During Alex’s 34 years with P&G, she has worked in Product Supply, Brand Management and General Management, spanning multiple categories across Fabric Care and Beauty, in North America, Asia, and Europe regions. In 2020, Alex was elected to Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Board of Directors. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arizona. She lives in Geneva, Switzerland with her husband, Chris Keith.
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