Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast

“Entrepreneurship is high risk, high reward - the ability to solve problems others haven’t been able to figure out.” Kristi Zuhlke is Founder and former CEO of KnowledgeHound, a Chicago-based startup with a mission to build the largest database of consumer data in the world.  Since founding her company 6+ years ago, Kristi has raised $5 million in funding with Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Knowledge Hound is actually Kristi’s third startup venture. Before founding Knowledge Hound, Kristi launched and quickly sold her second business, a smartphone app company, and she started her first business while in college, revealing her to be an entrepreneur at heart. Along the way, Kristi worked at Procter & Gamble for 6 years in the CMK market research function, serving on brands like Gillette and Always. Kristi studied at Xavier University, and is now also a wife and mother of two kids and a loving Labrador. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation with another accomplished Alumni entrepreneur, where Kristi shares how she came to the decision to leave Corporate America, and how entrepreneurship isn’t necessarily for everyone.

“Overcome inhibition and introversion. Get prepared, but don't get intimidated by roles, personal equities, or styles.” Julio Nemeth is Procter & Gamble’s Chief Product Supply Officer, where he leads P&G’s global product supply organization, including procurement, engineering, manufacturing, and more. Julio joined P&G in 1990 as a site engineer for the Beauty business in Brazil and throughout his career has worked in engineering, plant and business operations, and product supply. Julio has led and supported P&G businesses around the world, facilitated by his fluency in four languages. In 2015, Julio was elected President, Global Business Services. Outside of P&G, Julio recently joined the Board of Directors of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. Julio received his bachelor of science in Naval Engineering from the University of Buenos Aires and his MBA from FGV in Brazil. What’s unique about this conversation is that Julio is a current executive P&G and was able to give us a peak behind the curtain on what the company is doing in product supply, including how they managed to increase production with fewer staff during the pandemic AND why they’re partnering with EY to license that methodology. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation that focuses on creating ownership, continuous improvement, and lessons learned during Julio’s 30+ year continuing career at P&G.

“Connecting diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement to the business allows everybody to see themselves playing a role.” Kevin Clayton is Cleveland Cavaliers VP of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement. Kevin leads the diversity, inclusion and engagement strategies, business imperatives which affect all areas of the team’s business and basketball operations. Prior to joining the Cavs, Kevin held leadership roles with Bon Secours Mercy Health, the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Tennis Association, Russell Corporation, and spend 10 years in sales and marketing at Procter & Gamble. Kevin even also ran a successful consulting business for more than a decade. Kevin grew up in Cleveland, OH, and attended  North Carolina Central University and Wilmington College. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about Kevin’s lived experiences, how he views the competitive advantages of driving diversity, equity, and inclusion - not just as a human issue, but a business driver.

“Be decisive and provide certainty - to make people feel secure in uncertain times.” Sylvia Dávila is Danone’s Regional President for Latin America - where she runs the commercial operations for one of the company’s fastest growing regions. Prior to Danone, Sylvia spent 12 years in marketing at Mars, ultimately becoming the global CMO of Mars Food. Sylvia spent 12 years rising through the ranks at P&G Latin America, and actually got her start at McDonald’s while in college. Sylvia studied at Unitec Mexico, Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Harvard Business School. You’ll enjoy our candid conversation about speaking up, often as the only woman leader in the room, and how she has had to make some big decisions - sometimes under trying circumstances. Ultimately for Sylvia making - and communicating - decisions clearly is the only way to make progress, especially in today’s increasingly challenging times.

“To lead others effectively,  you have to learn how to lead yourself effectively.” Jim Taylor serves as President of Arby’s, the second-largest sandwich restaurant brand in the world with more than 3,500 restaurants across eight countries. Jim previously served as Arbys’ CMO, where he led all R&D, product innovation, brand marketing and media. Jim also served as Arby’s SVP of Brand Advertising and Activation, as well as SVP of Product Development and Innovation. Prior to his 7+ years at Arby’s, Jim spent 4 years at Darden, parent company of Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and more - where he rose through roles in Strategy, Innovation, and Marketing. And of course, Jim began his career at P&G, where over 15 years, he rose through the ranks of Finance and Marketing in Oral Care, Male Grooming, and Digestive Wellness. Jim is an alum of the University of Illinois and Stanford University, and serves on the board of the University of Georgia Terry College of Business. You’ll enjoy this really fun, candid conversation about building teams, shepherding innovation, recognizing blind spots, and leading effectively.

“We’re in a unique moment where we need to dream big about how things should work - where everybody wins and can take part” Lisa Gevelber is Google’s Chief Marketing Officer for the Americas - leading Marketing for flagship Google products like Search, Maps, Ads & Commerce, YouTube, Play, Chromebooks and Android. In 2017, Lisa founded Grow with Google, Google’s $1 Billion commitment to ensure the opportunities created by technology are available to everyone - which has helped more 6 million Americans grow their skills, careers, and businesses. Under her leadership, Grow with Google launched Google Career Certificates, which provide onramps to in-demand, high paying jobs for people without college degrees. These certificates have provided significant upward mobility to tens of thousands and counting. Lisa also leads Google for Startups, which levels the playing field for entrepreneurs globally by supporting underrepresented founders. Prior to joining Google in 2010, Lisa spent nine years in senior management roles @ Intuit, as well as leading at startups and nonprofits. And of course, Lisa got her start at P&G in brand management where over 6 years she led a $400 million portfolio of brands. Lisa serves on the Council for Foreign Relations, is an inventor on 6 patents, and holds a degree from the University of Michigan. Lisa also is a proud mom of two girls and lives in the Bay Area with her family, where she’s an avid hiker and passionate world traveler. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about making an impact with the work you do and how we can face the big big challenges in our economy when it comes to equity and equality - in and outside of our jobs, to work together to ensure everybody wins

“Let's be wrong sooner because we'll learn from it - move on and take on challenges in a very different way.” Jay Sethi is the CMO of Diageo Beer Company and Senior Vice President of Diageo’s Convenience Category. In addition to leading and executing for three of Diageo’s business units, Jay has a strong passion for inclusion and diversity and was instrumental in creating the “Love Wins” campaign for the Smirnoff brand in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) celebrating love and acceptance. Prior to Diageo, Jay worked at Procter & Gamble as the Director of North America COVERGIRL, returning the brand to growth through new and exciting partnerships, including the NFL and The Hunger Games movie franchise. Jay is known as an innovative marketer and has received numerous awards, including a “40 under 40” Marketing Leadership Award from Advertising Age. Jay graduated from The University of Chicago and previously worked in the world of Chicago politics with roles in the U.S. Senate and top political campaigns. Jay is fluent in Spanish and is proudly multicultural as a Mexican and Indian American. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about how to be more thoughtful - and intentional about using your skillset to have an impact in and beyond work, because there are many actionable steps anyone can take to be more open and inclusive in business, and life.

“This is a time when courage is required - leading with integrity, humility, clarity, and unity - and doing what’s right.” Teri List is A 35-year finance veteran. She’s currently a Board Director @  Microsoft, Double Verify, and Danaher Corp - a Life Sciences company. Teri’s also the Former EVP & Chief Financial Officer for GAP, Inc - where she oversaw the finance, real estate and IT orgs. Teri held similar CFO roles at Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Kraft Foods - after spending nearly 20 years @ P&G, ultimately advancing to SVP of Finance & Treasurer. But unlike many P&G Alumni Execs, Teri actually got her start @ Deloitte & Touche, where she spent 9+ years providing financial counsel to large multinationals. Teri received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northern Michigan University and is a certified public accountant. In a candid conversation about courage - Teri shares how to think about not just how it relates to your career, but yourself. You’ll enjoy hearing about Teri’s passion for people - and how she’s committed to helping diverse teams thrive, and how leaders need to be thinking not just about short-term wins, but long term decisions.

“We’re going to need leaders with the aptitude, flexibility and agility to face challenges we don’t know exist yet.” Tom Kuhn is the Vice President, Marketing for The PGA Tour, where he is responsible for the lead marketing and media strategy for their global portfolio of professional golf brands. Prior to his time at The Tour, Tom spent 16 years at Procter & Gamble in a variety of roles, including brand management on Vicks, Metamucil, and Align. Tom started his career in IT, working across Manufacturing, Marketing, and Research & Development. Tom earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bucknell University, his MBA from Georgia Institute of Technology, and is married with three children in Ponte Verda Beach, FL. In a candid conversation about balancing what you think you want with adapting to the moment, you’ll enjoy hearing his authentic takes on his life and career - in a world that is constantly changing.

“Creating greater personal connections - really extending your heart - makes a richer, more human leader ” Remi Kent is 3M’s SVP and Global Chief Marketing Officer for the 3M Consumer Business Group, responsible for delivering profitable growth for their most iconic brands like Post-it, Scotch, Scotch-Brite, Command, and many more. Having risen through 3M’s senior ranks for 8 years, Remi’s strategy, discipline, and innovation have helped solve complex business challenges, and her work to launch Scotch Flex & Seal won Time Magazine’s Best Inventions Award. During her 12-year career at P&G, Remi worked on Target’s shopper marketing team, in Beauty, Mass, and Prestige, as well as the global Skincare business. Wherever she goes, Remi cultivates diverse, high performance teams and has taken her leadership skills into the community, sitting on the board of the YWCA of Minneapolis and being a founding member of the Black Executive CMO Alliance. She is a focused mother of a teenager and is also participating in various actions to help dismantle racism. You’ll enjoy a candid conversation where Remi shares the obstacles so many of us face - but often do not voice, and understand the greater importance of creating personal connections and psychological safety within teams - now more than ever.