Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast

“Don't rely on what got you there. Making time to invest in yourself is important.” Jamal Muashsher serves as Valvoline's President, Global Products - where he’s responsible for the long-term growth and expansion of international markets, having risen through the ranks for 7+ years. Prior to joining Valvoline, Jamal spent nearly fifteen years at Procter & Gamble rising through the ranks of beauty, health, and home care, as well as P&G Entertainment. Jamal is active in the non-profit community, serving on a variety of boards and having co-founded and served as president of Give Back Cincinnati.  In 2020, Jamal was selected as Man of the Year for the Lexington Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  He also serves on the board for the Talent Magnet Institute and recently joined the University of Cincinnati Venture lab as an Entrepreneur-In-Residence Coach. A native of Cincinnati,, Muashsher studied Chemical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and received his MBA from Auburn University.  Now a Kentuckian, he lives with his wife and daughter.

“People want to be a part of the change. It’s important that allies are not only anti-racist, but accomplices.” Tiyale Hayes is BET Network’s SVP of Brand Strategy & Marketing where he ensures the Viacom company advances business objectives and authentically connecting with African American audiences. Over his career, Tiyale has worked on some of the world’s biggest and best brands fueling his passion for authentic inclusion and empathy into brand building. Tiyale spent eight years at Johnson & Johnson in roles of increasing responsibility from sales to leading global insight development for a number of brands including Tylenol, Motrin, Listerine, and a number of Rx to OTC Switch initiatives. And during his six years at P&G, he led in Consumer Insights and Global Innovation groups on brands like Folgers, Pringles, Crest, Gillette and Old Spice. Tiyale studied at Hampton University and received his MBA from Purdue. He is a frequent speaker at both private and industry conferences, leading thinking on how to create culture transformation and drive value for African Americans, Millennials, and LGBTQ+ populations. Tiyale serves on the board of the National Hampton Alumni Association and the non-profit Live Out Loud based in New York City. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation spanning perspectives - with a focus on finding common threads that unite us, and moving ALL of us along the spectrum of ally to accomplice in actionable ways.

“You have to work harder with international assignments. Get to know the people, the culture - and see your own country through somebody else’s eyes.” Craig Bahner is the CEO of Sara Lee Frozen Bakery - leading iconic brands like Sara Lee, Van’s, Chef Pierre and Bistro Collection. An 80 year old brand, Craig was there for the recent spin-off, putting in place pieces to accelerate growth, operations, and innovation. Previously, Craig was Kellogg’s President of US Morning Foods, and Wendy’s CMO - helping transform the iconic restaurant brand for the first time in decades. Craig spent 20 years at P&G rising thru the ranks - serving as GM of North America Hair Care & Color and GM of Northeast Asia’s Fabric & Home Care business. But Craig actually got his start in product supply @ Pillsbury, and later working at an AVIATION company in Cincinnati. Craig is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where he’s a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Fisher College of Business, and also a trustee of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Craig also happens to be an avid aviator - a certified pilot having flown all over the continent. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about stepping outside your comfort zone, and always seeking to humbly learn from those around you.

“With so much uncertainty, all of us are now more aware, focused and socially conscious. We are going to do wonders with that.” Keila Lazardi is the Chief Scientific Officer of Revlon, responsible for global product innovation and strategies — across technologies and categories including skin care, color cosmetics, nail care, hair care, fine fragrances and deodorants. With 25 years of global experience in CPG & Health, she has an exceptional track record of delivering breakthrough innovation. Prior to leading at Revlon, Keila served as e.l.f. Cosmetic’s VP of R&D, and previously held senior technical roles at Schiff Nutrition, Reckitt Benckiser, and P&G, where she got her start - in paper, hair, fabric and home care categories. Keila received her PhD in Biochemistry from the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research and a Masters in Biology from Universidad Central de Venezuela. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about the need for career transparency, authenticity, and perseverance - as well as a very optimistic take for the times that we live in.

“It is better to sleep well than to eat well. Knowing that you have done the right thing - there is nor price for that.” Jorge Uribe served as P&G’s Global Productivity & Organization Transformation Officer until 2015. Mr. Uribe spent 33 years with Procter & Gamble, where he held roles as Group President, Marketing & Sales Vice President, and grew through numerous roles across  Switzerland, Central America, the Caribbean, Cyprus, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and Gulf Countries, Saudi Arabia and Colombia. Mr. Uribe serves  on the boards of a number of organizations including General Mills and previously the United Way Worldwide. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Xavier University and a bachelor degree in management engineering from Universidad Nacional de Colombia.  You’ll enjoy this candid conversation reflecting on an impressive career - from working on farms in Medellin, to a globe-spanning career - where Jorge demonstrates the power of always being your best self.

“It’s powerful to say ‘I don't know everything’ - I love an organization of thinkers, creators, and people unafraid to be accountable for ideas.” Brain Niccol is the Chairman and CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill - driving brand strategy and performance of over 2,700 restaurants across North America and Europe. Chipotle is a purpose-driven brand so many of us love - focused on fresh, responsible ingredients that respect the animals, land, and people who produce them. Prior to leading Chipotle, Brian was CEO of Taco Bell - the culmination of more than a decade @ YUM Brands in senior roles on Taco Bell & Pizza Hut - including VP, CMO, and General Manager. Brian got his start at P&G - where he spent nineyears rising through the ranks of brand management - working on brands like Scope, Thermacare, Vicks, Pringles. Brian studied Engineering @ Miami University in Ohio, and got his MBA from the University of Chicago. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about not just some of Brian’s earliest lessons in business, but also about how he’s always staying curious - and doing what’s right for our communities.

“Share good moments, but also pass on learnings where things did NOT go great - for experience and learning that will benefit others.” Yolanda Talamo is The Heineken Company’s Chief People Officer. She joined Heineken in 2017 as SVP Human Resources for the Americas, but during the pandemic she assumed responsibility for all crisis management and related plans during COVID-19. Prior to Heineken, Yolanda was an SVP of Human Resources for SAB Miller, and spent 18 years at P&G, working in senior HR roles in Latin America and North America, as well as roles in marketing and consumer research. Yolanda has a proven track record of transforming organizations, developing executives and human resource organizations and delivering high performing teams with profitable business results. Yolanda was born in Venezuela, and holds American and Italian citizenships. She serves on several boards both in the U.S. and around the world and is seen as a positive and trusted force for change across organizations. In this candid conversation, you’ll hear not just about Yolanda’s accomplishments, but also her experiences with setbacks — and how she’s continued to use them as fuel for next steps and learning, as so many things in life are not a one-way door...

The P&G Alumni “Leaders Under 40” program (pgalums.com/40) is a great way for P&G Alumni under 40 doing amazing work in their careers and communities. Nominations remain open until September 30th, and winners will be recognized* at the P&G Alumni Global Conference (Nov 11+12). Nominate someone - or yourself (self nominations welcome) - at pgalums.com/40 - deadline is September 30th, 2021. *Fame and/or fortune not guaranteed, but thousands of people around the world will hear about this next generation of P&G Alumni Leaders at the upcoming global conference this November. To be eligible, P&G Alumni must still be under 40 by November 1, 2021. ...so be sure to visit pgalums.com/2021 - to nominate yourself, or a fellow P&G Alumni under 40 by September 30th, 2021!

“Seek out experiences and not titles, because that's where you’ll get the most value at the end of the day.” Matt Story is VISA’s Vice President of Global Marketing Partnerships & Advocacy - where he leads strategy for marketing partnerships and the company’s approach to uplifting underrepresented audiences through marketing initiatives. Matt has also held senior marketing roles @ Intel, Razorfish, and Publicis “Denuo” a agency’s unique worldwide center of expertise across mobile, collaboration and gaming practices - helping some of the world’s biggest brands  “see around the corner” to solve marketing challenges. Matt got his start atP&G as one of the company’s earliest hybrid Digital Marketing Managers + Business Analysts. Matt studied Computer Science & Computer Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, and is also an Investor, Board Member, Podcast Host, Inclusion Advocate, and most importantly, husband and father. In this candid conversation, Matt shares how he’s gained not just experience, but empathy from everything he’s done. You’ll enjoy hearing about how young leaders like Matt doesn’t just seek to understand, but also seeks to see where he can help others on their unique journeys.

“Honestly, if you could describe what you needed to a P&G technologist - it could be done.” Gordon Brunner, was P&G’s Chief Technology Officer leading the company’s technical community, and even serving on P&G’s Board of Directors. Gordon initially joined the Company's Food Division in 1961 as a Process Engineer, progressing through R&D assignments with increasing responsibility and experience across food, laundry and cleaning. His work directly impacted many of P&G’s Billion Dollar brands. In 1976 Gordon  became head of all European R&D operations, and returned to the US soon becoming Senior Vice President of global R&D. Gordon led internal venture programs responsible for new products like Swiffer, Dryel, and Febreze, and growing P&G's life science and healthcare business.  Gordon was elected to the company Board in 1991, and in 1995, he accepted the U.S. Medal of Technology on behalf of P&G from President Bill Clinton. In 1999 Gordon became P&G’s Chief Technology Officer. A native of Des Plaines, Illinois, Gordon studied Biochemical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, and got his MBA from Xavier University. Since retiring - Gordon has remained quite busy leading ventures across academic, philanthropic and professional organizations - and ever the scientist/tinkerer - remaining very technically active in some of this passionate pursuits of golf, cooking, and fermentation. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about the importance of products, people, and thinking big - but also how this cutting edge work doesn’t matter if it’s divorced from business realities and consumer context. For Gordon, the power of people is paramount - you’ll appreciate his candor and perspective on the rich history of the company where he was such a big part.