Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast

“Giving back connects me to a new generation of people . It's important that people are curious and ask bold questions. It's about not giving answers, but enabling people to find their own answers.”Falk Fuhrmann is an award-winning creative strategist with over 25 years of experience, in growing businesses of local, regional or global scale. Falk currently leads HuíLüè — a strategy consultancy he founded in Shanghai specializing in brand strategy, cultural insights, and business innovation. Falk has also been teaching at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou since 2020… empowering the new generation of Chinese creatives to bridge cultural differences and embrace strategic innovation that resonate locally and globally. While Falk has invested his impressive career on the agency side with leaders like TBWA, DDB, and Saatchi & Saatchi, he also led strategy for multiple P&G’s categories across CEEMEA, APAC and Greater China. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation on the fun of liquid collaboration, comparing Chinese and German cultures, and learning about the importance of getting from weird to wonder.This is part of our Chinese leaders series - hosted by P&G Alumni Emily Chang. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode? Reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com

“ At the end, marketing is about connection. What makes it magical is the perfect convergence of creativity, the connection to human behavior, the unpredictability, and all the analytics.”Raul Murguia leads Integrated Marketing at LinkedIn Sales Solutions, driving brand narratives and campaigns that resonate with sales professionals. Previously, Raul led integrated marketing and later focused on product marketing at Meta for Messenger, orchestrating go-to-market strategies for Messenger and earning a Clio and two Shorty Awards for the "That Close" campaign. Raul’s passionate about integrated marketing communications — focusing on brand growth, product adoption, and delivering impactful campaigns. Raul’s career is a story of pivots - from Latin America to the US, across integrated and product marketing, from CPG to Tech — working across companies like Zespri, Pharmavite, Pepsico, Sara Lee, and seven years in brand management at P&G. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation on adaptability and transitions across industries and cultures. This episode is hosted by P&G Alum Sudha Ranganathan, who’s spent over 19 years in diverse Marketing leadership roles at companies like P&G, PayPal, and LinkedIn where she’s honed her passion for customer-centric marketing and talent development.

“To create content — it's got to give you pleasure, it can't be a chore. Be honest with yourself. If you're putting goodness out into the world consistently, something's going to hit — trust that process.”Whether you've got a corporate job, a side hustle (like a podcast or three), or are even a full-time entrepreneur or entertainer, the idea of ‘content creation’ has become increasingly important. But what if the act of marketing content becomes more work than the actual act of making actually good content? Inspired by a recent NY Times article, P&G Alums Drew Tarvin (Humor That Works) + Bob Gilbreath (the Workaround) got together to discuss and debate their own approaches to all that is creating content. This is a special “topic-driven” episode where we bring together P&G Alum experts to share their personal learnings. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode? Reach out atpgalumpod@gmail.comLEARN MOREnytimes.com/2024/12/31/arts/television/netflix-comedy-marketing.htmlBob Gilbreath newsletters "the Workaround" -behearty.substack.comDrew Tarvin:drewtarvin.com/

“ What we need is meaning, purpose, something to wake up in the morning and go do that matters. You're living life to the fullest when you're doing something you believe in that matters, that makes a difference.” Gerry Preece is a 22-year veteran of P&G leading agency strategic sourcing and marketing operations —building  purchases/procurement organizations around the globe in areas such as media, advertising agencies, promotions, commercial production, digital marketing, and public affairs. After retiring from P&G, Gerry served as  Executive Director at The Matthew Kelly Foundation,. He's also consulted with the 4As, GSK, and many other industry leaders. Gerry received his Bachelors in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point In this far-ranging conversation between a longtime mentor and his mentee, fellow alum Rajiv Satyal - from years past - the two compare notes on their own learnings of purpose, work, life, politics, and family. You’ll enjoy this timely conversation between two old friends reconnecting - and not necessarily agreeing on everything, but learning from each other.  This episode is hosted by P&G Alum Rajiv Satyal, the Los Angeles-based comedian, host, and speaker - from his own podcast. You can learn, see, and hear more at RajivSatyal.com

“ You have to authentically and always be yourself because that's the most ownable strategy that you can own as a person.” Michael Seitz is the Co-Founder and CEO of Barebottle Brewing Company, an award-winning crowd-inspired craft brewery with four locations in San Francisco. Michael and his family moved to San Francisco in 2016 to open Barebottle, scaling from zero to over $10 million in revenue — and now San Francisco’s largest brewery. Michael spent 10 years at P&G in Cincinnati as a Brand Manager, where he met his wife Raquel Rozas, started brewing beer at home, earned his credential as a certified beer judge, and completed studies at the World Brewing Academy in Chicago. Michael studied Economics at Stanford and was a Park Fellow at Cornell’s Business School where he received his MBA and was the Vithala and Saroj Rao prize recipient graduating first in his class. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation on entrepreneurship and authenticity, and when you’re next in San Francisco, stop by a Barebottle and say hi! This episode is hosted by P&G Alum Sudha Ranganathan, who’s spent over 19 years in diverse Marketing leadership roles at companies like P&G, PayPal, and LinkedIn where she’s honed her passion for customer-centric marketing and talent development.

“Where in our lives do we feel something has changed fundamentally inside of us? Those are stories.” Matthew Dicks is a master storyteller and author of many books - including “STORYWORTHY: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling.” Matthew has earned the title of Master Storyteller— as a five-time Moth GrandSLAM champion. The Moth is New York City’s iconic storytelling platform (which also has a great podcast) — and Matthew has dominated it, winning 52 StorySLAMs around the country. Matthew also co-founded Speak Up, a storytelling organisation that has helped thousands craft more compelling stories. He's written a # of fiction and nonfiction books - including STORYWORTHY. Matt's Homework for Life project is a powerful tool for anyone looking to enrich their daily life through storytelling, one small step at a time. You'll enjoy this candid conversation that might just help you find some simple, practical ways to find more meaning and connection in your life, This conversation is from from P&G Alum Sharad Lal’s top podcast “HOW TO LIVE” - for lots more great conversations with Sharad and thought leaders, subscribe to How To Live wherever you get your favorite podcasts, or visit howtolive.life Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode? Reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com

“Systems really matter — we can play with the media instead of it playing us. I don't want to be used by a system that gets in the way of real learning and insight — this is more of a survival issue than we think.” Brynne Thompson is an investor, advisor, and all-around brilliant - and thoughtful - person who helps startup founders and institutional investors figure out where the future is heading. Brynne is the founder of Respire Enterprises, and former partner of Coburn Ventures. Brynne supports and invests in startups built for the next generation of stewardship, climate awareness and multi-stakeholder management. With Coburn ventures, she led and advised investments in areas where technology may generate a dramatic shift in an industry. In this conversation with P&G Alumni Bob Gilbreath on “the Workaround” — Brynne & Bob compare notes on navigating the information overloaded moment we're in — and share some useful stories and hacks on how to thrive. In this candid discussion, we discover how all of us can take advantage of all the information available at our fingertips without falling for the non-wisdom of the crowd—and driving ourselves crazy in the process. This conversation is from P&G Alum Bob Gilbreath’s podcast & newsletter “The Workaround” -. Bob is a repeat startup founder with two exits. Bob’s stories and conversations — from a career in tech startups and corporate innovation — are here to make you think, smile, and discover a shortcut to success or a trap to avoid. You can subscribe at behearty.substack.com This is a feature of an Alumni Leader’s frequently published thought leadership. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode - reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com

“ Focus on in being authentic by being the luck in other people's lives — it will pay back multiple times.” Bhavesh Shah is an advisor, investor, and managing partner, with 30+ years in senior leadership, operations and procurement positions at Procter & Gamble, and Firmenich, the world’s largest family-owned Fragrance and Flavour House — having lived and worked across London, Geneva, Brussels, Guangzhou and Singapore—with extensive business exposure to both North and South America Across twenty years at P&G, Bhavesh oversaw billions of dollars in spend, as a procurement leader across markets — and he produced the highest rated TV show of its time – China’s Got Talent. After P&G, Bhavesh joined Firmenich for nine years as the company’s Chief Procurement Officers, spearheading a transformative turnaround, doubling the company’s EBITDA and solidifying its position as the industry leader. Bhavesh is now a Managing Partner at Synfiny, one of the fastest-growing global advisory firms. Bhavesh is also an early stage investor and selectively a Board Director, with a recent successful exit of Smart Build Asia as well as ongoing investments in Brinc, Opinsta, MPOWERD and Abele Trust, amongst others. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation on combining intentionality, curiosity and audacity — and being the luck in others’ lives. This is part of our Chinese leaders series - hosted by P&G Alumni Emily Chang. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode? Reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com

“ Instincts are not wrong — intellect can only capture so much of instinct. It has is a much bigger part of the funnel.” Srikant Nayak is Google’s Director of Marketing in APAC for the Play Store, Chrome, Chromebooks, and Google One. Srikant has spent 18+ years as a marketing leader working on billion dollar brands across industries in Asia, from Consumer Tech to QSR and CPG. Prior to Google, Srikant served as Yum! Brand Asia’s Chief Marketing Officer & Chief Strategy Officer. Srikant got his career start at P&G working in Fabric Care & Baby Care across India and ASEAN Markets. Srikant has a personal passion for being a culture champion and growing people. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation on honing and trusting our instincts to navigate those sliding door moments in our careers and lives. This episode is hosted by P&G Alum Sudha Ranganathan, who’s spent over 19 years in diverse Marketing leadership roles at companies like P&G, PayPal, and LinkedIn where she’s honed her passion for customer-centric marketing and talent development.

As 2024 comes to a close, we compiled the many learnings - from leaders - we heard this year. So sit back with your beverage of choice and enjoy! And give us the gift of a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2L85TsT Featuring the voices - and learnings - from John Pepper, Ursula Burns, Isaac Saul, Karen Francis, Katherine Vellinga, Andrew Swinand, Barbara Oakley, Tristan Walker, Gordon Brunner, Stefan Homeister, Bonnie Wan, Bernice Ang, Trevor Lai, Denis Beausejour, Roula Clerc-Nassar, Bernd Pichler, Alex Keith, Dawn Garibaldi, Manreet Sodhi Someshwar, Shaun Reinsurance, Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson, Ravi Chaturvedi, Mark Ciccone, Sam Avivi, Raman Sehgal, Nir Eyal, Jorge Montoya, Jessica Gleeson, Bob McDonald, Rajiv Satyal, Drew Tarvin, and Bob Gilbreath. Thank you for YOUR 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!