Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast

”Being a writer is just bloody hard work and passion. It is a kind of madness, which compels you every day to go to say, ‘OK, let's do it again today’ “ Manreet Sodhi Someshwar is the author of nine novels - including the Long Walk Home, Radiance of a Thousand Suns, and most recently the Partition Trilogy - a historical fiction novel series about one of the great human tragedies of the 20th century. Manreet’s articles and essays have appeared in the NY Times, the International Herald Tribune, and the South China Morning Post, among others. Manreeet has taught for the New York Public Library and the City College of New York - and she’s a former corporate citizen having done stints in Asia, and a parent grappling with the world our kids will inherit. Manreet’s recently complete Partition Trilogy - a series of 3 books titled Lahore, Hyderabad, and Kashmir - are a historical fiction set during, before, and immediately after the Partition - and independence of - India and Pakistan of 1947. Partition is among the the great humanitarian disasters of the 20th century - and the largest mass migration in history. The history of Partition impacts and informs much of what is happening today, in both Asia, and the United States - from the tensions between India and Pakistan, and the rise of nationalism / extremism in our politics around the world. Manreet’s unique voice focuses not just on the personal musings of these larger than life historical figures - like India’s founding fathers Gandhi & Nehru, but she also breathes life into characters who represent the stats and figures that we sometimes gloss over when we hear of a tragedy (including the role - and subversion of women by history). This is a powerful conversation about the weaponization of history, and how storytelling - and fact-checking - have to work hand in hand to inform the next generation. This is a past conversation from Raman’s other podcast, Modern Minorities, where each week we share minority conversations for all of our majority years. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation that we hope will provide new perspectives and learnings.

“Delegation is making sure you’ve framed the work to expand the impact of you and your team, in a way that has healthy boundaries and the individual can build their skills.” Dawn Garibaldi Is an executive coach who partners with leaders to amplify their impact by mastering complexity, extending their influence, building unstoppable teams and breaking through barriers. Her clients create distinctive, enduring and outstanding transformations in business and organizational performance. Prior to becoming a coach, Dawn spent over 30 years at Procter & Gamble with responsibility for businesses up to $12 billion in revenue and managing organizations of up to 3,000 people. Her experience includes startup, expansion and restructuring international markets in Asia, North America, Latin America, Eastern and Western Europe. Dawn has guided 100’s of individuals, teams and organizations to achieve greater success through the confidence to push the boundaries of what is possible and deliver the extraordinary. Dawn is a Co-Active Coach with Certifications from the Coaches Training Institute and the International Coaching Federation. She holds a BS degree from the University of Rochester, is a member of Faculty at the UC San Diego Rady School of Management and speaks four languages. Dawn lives near Denver, CO with her family and enjoys snow skiing, traveling and reading cook books. This is part of our P&G Alumni Coaching series diving deep on relevant career coaching topics. Just as professional athletes have a coach to help them perform at their best, coaching can help you thrive in career and life, through powerful questioning, exploration, and action planning. P&G Alums can learn more and sign up for their first free first session @ coaching.pgalums.com

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.

"Ignore arrogance and make convenience meet relevance. Consider these elements to know what is convenient and relevant for the customer.”  Bernd Pichler is Aston Martin’s Managing Director, Greater China. Bernd was previously Managing Director for Bentley Motors in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, where he oversaw all local operations and sales in the company’s second-largest region. Having lived and worked in Asia since 2005, Bernd has more than two decades of leadership experience and a track record of driving commercial growth in China for major automotive brands, including within the luxury segment. 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

"This type of work gives us agency — things become a choice versus us becoming victims of life led on autopilot.”  Roula Clerc-Nassar is an seasoned leader and coach - as well as an expert on human understanding and insightful research. Roula’s focus is growing people and building high performing teams, as well as applying neuroscience to coaching to help create transformation and lasting change. Before founding Ellumine Consulting & Coaching, Roula spent 24 years in 2 leading Multinational companies:  PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble, where she began her career in Morocco before moving to the UK and later Switzerland. Her last position was Vice President of Insights at PepsiCo Europe. She is a national of 3 countries in 3 different continents and has worked with clients and teams across the globe. You’ll enjoy this candid coaching conversation on how to reconcile values that comes into conflict, and makeing thoughtful, intentional choices for work and life.  This is a continuation of our series with P&G Alumni Coaching where leading Alumni will dive deep on relevant topics. Just as professional athletes have a coach to help them perform at their best, coaching can help you thrive in career and life life, through powerful questioning, exploration, and action planning. P&G Alums can learn more and sign up for their first free first session @ coaching.pgalums.com.

" I knew the why about my job, the why about lots of things in life. I hadn't really given thought to what I would call the deep questions of life. I started thinking about helping others in a fresh way.” Denis Beausejour is an Author, Executive, Pastor, Papa (and Grandpapa) based in Cincinnati, OH. Denis recently published his first book, “The Biggest Idea Ever.” Denis started his career at P&G, where over the course of 22 years served in a variety of marketing and advertising rules, including executive assignments in Canada, Australia, Japan, China, and the US where he was the VP of Advertising before retiring. Following a spiritual adventure, Denis left P&G and completed seminary at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago, then led Answers for Life, the ministry of Dr. Henry Cloud before becoming Senior Pastor at Mariemont Church before retiring in 2022. Denis shares not just about his P&G career progression, but also about the makings and execution of a big career pivot that left some of his colleagues baffled, and the importance of passing down wisdom to the next generation of leaders, which in Denis’ case, is through his book. Denis has been married to his wife Marianne for 42 years, and enjoys spending time with his 4 children and 10 grandchildren, with their eleventh on the way. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about making big changes to lead a fulfilling life.

" We are a social species designed to work together — and this happens through so much more than words. It's in hundreds of unconscious things we do and notice when we're together.” Bob Gilbreath is longtime friend of the Pod, and fellow P&G Alum - who's also a repeat startup founder with two exits in the marketing technology and agency world. Bob now serves as Co-Founder and CEO of Hearty, a people-tech company, as well as a few other interesting ventures. While at P&G, Bob worked on brands like Tide and Mr. Clean - and Mr. Clean Auto Dry, and even Fit fruit and vegetable wash. Bob’s authored books and launched several successful newsletters . In his latest Substack newsletter - the Workaround (beheartly.substack.com) - Bob shares real-life stories of his business ups-and-downs. Bob’s latest pieces is titled "in person is a 10x" about the magic that comes when we get together - because you can't co-create something special without being in the same room. LEARN ABOUT BOB - 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

"A lot of these values and principles are very universal — it applies in China, but it applies anywhere.” Trevor Lai is an award-winning entrepreneur, author and illustrator who published his first children's book at the age of seventeen. He is also the founder and CEO of Up Studios, a China-based production company — featured as one of the "Top 25 Animation Studios" in the world to watch by Animation Magazine. Up Studios - the creative force behind much loved Chinese shows like Piggy, Tomo and BOOMi - has received large investments from Chinese tech giant Tencent. When he’s not creating world-class animated stories, Trevor loves to play ice hockey in China and traveling around the world. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about creativity, inspiration, and perseverance . This is the first in our series of Learning from Leaders from China - hosted by P&G Alumni Emily Chang. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode? Reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com

"It truly is a matter of exploring, discovery, knowing your boundaries - to gradually get there. The key is to keep your eye on the North Star - what is it that makes you come alive?” Bernice Ang is an Executive Coach who helps senior leaders design a purpose-centered personal brand, enabling them to integrate their work and personal lives so they can thrive, not just survive. Bernice started her career in Brand Management in P&G Asia Pacific. From there, she took on several Global Marketing leadership roles in the US with Coca-Cola, Pepsico, and Mars-Wrigley. Five years ago, Bernice left her corporate career to pursue her dream of becoming an Executive Coach. Today, she is among the top 4% of professional coaches who holds a Master Certified Coach designation, the highest credential awarded by the International Coach Federation. Bernice also helped co-found the P&G Alumni Network Coaching program, ringing together Professionally certified Executive Coaches with proven track records. You’ll enjoy this candid and very personal conversation about IKIGAI - the Japanese concept which encourages people to discover what truly matters to them - to live a life filled with purpose and joy. This is a continuation of our series with P&G Alumni Coaching where leading Alumni will dive deep on relevant topics. Just as professional athletes have a coach to help them perform at their best, coaching can help you thrive in career and life life, through powerful questioning, exploration, and action planning. P&G Alums can learn more and sign up for their first free first session @ coaching.pgalums.com.

"How do you express what you want in a way that activates you, is unignorable, and automatically aligns your beliefs, your values, and how you show up in the world?” Bonnie Wan knows what it feels like to struggle with burnout and uncertainty about where to go next. As a celebrated advertising strategist she spent years helping brands like Pepsi and BMW get clarity on their values and purpose, but she one day found herself mired and directionless in her own life–a “recovering perfectionist” with a crumbling marriage, a big job, and three young children. So she put her “work brain” to work - and sketched out a creative brief (one of the key tools of the ad trade) for herself, granting clarity on what was missing and what she really wanted in her life. Not only did “the Life Brief” save Bonnie’s marriage, recenter her parenting, and catapult her career (she was named Ad Age’s Chief Strategy Officer last year)—it has since gone on to help thousands of others through her speaking at Apple, Bain & Co, Change.org, Google, Goop, Jane Goodall’s “Activating Hope” Summit, SXSW and more. Her new book — “THE LIFE BRIEF: A Playbook for No-Regrets Living “ — creates a clear guide for anyone to break through life’s clutter and create deeper meaning through three simple stages: Get Messy. Get Clear. Get Active. This is a perfect conversation to help so many of us who seem to “have it all” yet feel restless or rudderless. This is a past conversation from Raman’s other podcast, Modern Minorities, where each week we share minority conversations for all of our majority years. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation that we hope will provide new perspectives and learnings.