Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast

    "In challenging times, if no one has a game plan - you have to create one." Lisa Baird is the Commissioner of the National Women’s Soccer League where she’s helping the organization navigate through unprecedented times. She previously held CMO roles at New York Public Radio and the US Olympic Committee - Where she launched the Team USA brand. She’s also held senior executive roles at the NFL, IBM, GM, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Johnson & Johnson. Lisa got her start at P&G working across brand management in food, beverage and beauty. Lisa’s been named one of the top Business-to-Business Marketers and received the prestigious WISE Woman of the Year Award, among numerous other honoraries. She studied at Penn State University, and lives in Connecticut. Hear how Lisa - in her first week on the job as a sports league Commissioner - handled the unprecedented shut down of all national sports. In a ranging conversation we learn not just about about creative problem solving, but today’s new skill of work/life survival. 

  "If you're in a position to improve others’ lives, then that is your duty." Paul Polman is Unilever’s former CEO (2009-2018), and currently co-founder of IMAGINE, where he is mobilizing businesses to tackle climate change and global inequality. At Unilever, Paul created (and proved) a long-term approach to global problems can also drive business performance. Prior to Unilever, he was Nestle’s CFO & Head of Americas. And Paul got his start at P&G, where he spent 27 years rising through the ranks ultimately leading Europe for P&G. Paul continues to be active on the world stage, bridging the private/public sectors. Alongside the UN Secretary General, he helped develop the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Paul is chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, The B Team, Saïd Business School and Vice-Chair of the UN Global Compact. The Financial Times declared Paul "a standout CEO of the past decade” - as he is a leading proponent that business should be a force for good,  Paul shares how one person - alone or at companies - can challenge the status quo to meaningfully tackle some of the world’s biggest problems. His stories and perspectives will inspire you to be the change you want to see in the world.

    "Diversity is a business strategy - it's not an HR program, it's not a nice to have."  Virginia “Gina” Drosos, is the CEO of Signet Jewelers - the world's largest retailer of diamond jewellery - having served on the company’s Board since 2012. Gina was also previously the CEO of Assurex Health - growing the company towards a $410 million acquisition by Myriad Genetics. Gina got her start at P&G, in a 25-year career rising to Group President, Global Beauty Care - leading a $6 billion business with iconic brands like Olay, Old Spice, Secret, and CoverGirl. Gina studied business at the University of Georgia, and received her MBA from The Wharton School, at the University of Pennsylvania. She’s been named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year, one of Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business, and many other top awards.  Gina shares how a focus on the small details - in business and with people - often lead to big results. She also reveals some concrete insights on the how diversity is so much more than an HR strategy - it’s a business strategy.

    "People are willing to risk a lot to show their support for our freedoms."   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, 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.

"If you always go for something your manager agrees to, then you're likely not bold enough. The magic is turning a no into a yes." Benno Dorer is the CEO & Chairman of The Clorox Company - a post he’s held since 2014. Benno started at Clorox in 2005 rising through executive roles across Laundry, Home Care, International businesses, and Corporate Strategy. Prior to joining Clorox, Benno spent 14+ years at P&G - in senior marketing positions around the world, including the Glad Products joint venture. He has been the highest-rated US CEO on Glassdoor, among the Bay Area's Most Admired CEOs by the San Francisco Business Times, and was awarded Out & Equal’s CEO of the Year. Benno has a degree in Economics from University of Freiberg, graduate degree in business administration from Saarland University and as a multilingual leader - has worked in Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Ohio, and California.  In this candid conversation, Benno shares his philosophies on creating a culture of transparency, ownership and empowerment - as well as his thoughts on the importance of finding joy and meaning in the workplace,

"Some have to carry more weight than others - everybody's got to do their part to try to lighten their load."   Linda Clement-Holmes served as P&G’s Chief Diversity Officer AND P&G’s Chief Information Officer - significantly elevating the company’s efforts and standing in the space of Diversity & Inclusion.    Starting as a systems analyst in 1983, Linda has led a global career as an “executive of firsts” - the first Black female Senior VP, and later President. Linda’s been named one of Computerworld’s Premier 100 IT Leaders, Black Enterprise magazine’s Top Executives, and Working Mother’s “Working Mothers of the Year,” among many other honors. Linda is an active active Board leader among many business and community organizations, is a graduate of Purdue University, and a proud mother of two accomplished sons   In a candid conversation about authenticity and courage, Linda speaks about her personal - and professional - experiences in race, and comments on the unique moment we face today. Linda shares how she works everyday to lighten the load of others, and gets everyone to do their part.

"You’re always running an all-volunteer army - keep your people inspired."    Bracken Darrell is President & CEO of Logitech - a company he joined in 2012 - where he’s been the driver for Logitech’s continued growth and profitability, leading the brand vision and company operations. Prior to joining Logitech, Bracken spent a decade in executive roles @ 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 shares his philosophies on humor and motivation in the workplace. Anyone who’s seen him talk knows he speaks his mind, and is a values-driven, people-motivated leader - something needed now more than ever in the business world. You’ll love the candor of this conversation!

"The exciting part is that every single person right now is living history." Julie is the VP & Commercial Head of Canada for at Estée Lauder, where she’s been for nearly 6 years. Prior to joining Estee Lauder, she spent 12 years at Procter & Gamble in roles spanning Corporate Finance, Brand Management, and Customer Marketing across Canada. Her multifunctional experience has been a key to her success in developing clear roadmaps that take traditional brands from stagnant to significant growth     Julie discusses how she always knew she’d be in business and from a young age was trying to maximize all that she did. She also shares some life tips that she shares with her kids each night but also with her team as a reminder that we’re all in this together.

“Make lasting changes. What is the one thing you can change that creates the biggest shift?” Vince Hudson is SVP of Global Brand Strategy and Marketing Operations at American Express. He’s been Chief Brand Officer at BET, and held senior roles at Samsung and Diageo. At P&G, Vince was the VP of P&G Beauty in Asia - after launching the blockbuster brands Crest WhiteStrips and Prilosec OTC, and growing COVERGIRL to be the first $1 Billion cosmetic brand (signing deals with Rihanna, Ellen, Taylor Swift, and Queen Latifah). Vince has been named among Brandweek’s “Marketers of the Next Gen” and AdAge’s “40 Under 40.“ He studied at Dillard University - where he’s now on the Board of Trustees.  In a candid conversation, Vince reveals the three passions that inform everything he does, and shares his approach for making an impact - wherever you work.

"It's all about speed - learning fast and connecting the dots into greater success." Antonio Sciuto is an SVP in the Office of the CEO at Salesforce.com - the leading cloud-based software company. Antonio is dedicated to inspire and enable the C-Suite to create more personalized customer experiences. Prior to joining Salesforce, Antonio spent eight years at Nestle - as the CMO of Nestle Waters, and before that, leading the entire company’s eCommerce strategies. He also spent 3 years with McKinsey and Company, and of course, got his start at P&G - rising through the sales ranks of Market Strategy & Planning and Customer Business Development. Antonio shares some great perspective on the idea of generosity in leadership - and the important role mentorship and family have provided a competitive advantage during the course of his career.