Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast

“There's nothing that opens up your mind, even your heart, to new and unknown things than travel. Get outside your comfort zone.” S. Qaisar Shareef is P&G’s former head of Pakistan and Ukraine, author of “When Tribesmen Came Calling,” and a longtime friend of the pod. But more importantly, he’s also a fellow lover of travel. Specifically in how travel allows each of us to experience new and different cultures. Qaisar is based in Washington DC, and a frequent columnist in News International Pakistan, and his recent article about his travels in Egypt speak to the importance of experiencing new and different cultures. Whether hitchhiking from Germany to Belgium, traveling the silk road thru Uzbekistan, wandering Afghanistan, or roaming ruins in Syria and Spain, Qaisar shares lessons and learnings from a world well traveled. Got learnings to share about your own travels? Let us know your favorites pgalumpod@gmail.com - with a voice memo or written story - and maybe we’ll feature your travel learnings on a future podcast!

“There are some moments in sales where it does not go at all like you planned, and you just feel lost. And I do think humor is a way to deal with failure.” Greg Warren is a nationally known stand-up comic whose new comedy special “The Salesman” recently launched, so we thought we’d talk with Greg about his creative process and learnings we can find from the world of stand-up comedy.  Greg has been featured on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central Presents, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, BET and CMT. He is a fan favorite on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom Radio Show and can be heard daily on Sirius/XM. Prior to becoming a full-time comedian, Greg spent 10 years at P&G as an account executive for brands like Pringles and Folgers. He’s currently based in St Louis, MO. Are you a P&G Alumni leader who’s an industry expert on a topic where our audience can get lots of learnings? Shoot us a note - pgalumpod@gmail.com - and maybe we'll feature you on a future P&G Alumni Podcast!

“If I'm in a tough environment, should I leave? And I always say, no, not immediately. Try to see if you can bring in your strengths and make it work." Dalia Feldheim is an author, organizational psychologist, and works with leading companies to promote heart-felt leadership - so we wanted to feature a conversation about her 2020 TEDx talk “Dare to Lead Like a Girl.” Before founding her Flow Leadership Consultancy, Dalia worked as the CMO and VP of marketing APAC for Electrolux, and prior to that, spent nearly 17 years at Procter & Gamble, working her way up from ABM to Marketing Director for FemCare in Asia. During her time, she helped to work on some iconic ad campaigns such as ‘Tampax Mother Nature’ and ’Always #like a girl’ which was ranked as Forbes most influential campaign of the decade. Dalia holds an Executive Masters degree in Consulting and Coaching for Change from IN-SE-AD business school along with a Happiness Facilitator diploma from the ‘Happiness Studies Academy’ in partnership with Miami university. TED talks are "Ideas Worth Spreading" - short talks and presentations that have lit up the internet since 2006. And since # of P&G Alums have shared TEDx talks at official events with their communities - we thought these ideas were worth spreading on our podcast. Are you a P&G Alumni with a TEDx talk? Shoot us a note - pgalumpod@gmail.com - and maybe we'll feature your TEDx talk on a future P&G Alumni Podcast!

“On a daily basis, what kind of score would I give myself? And then what could be one thing that I could do to maybe push that up a little bit.” Lars Sudmann is an author, executive advisor, and an explorer of the unknown - so we wanted to feature a conversation about his 2016 TEDx talk “Great Leadership Starts with Self-Leadership.” After nearly a decade with P&G in senior roles in Finance and supply chain - including time as the P&G Belgium CFO, Lars has now dedicated his life to exploring how leaders in their field excel in challenging environments. As a university lecturer, author, strategy director and more, Lars is always looking for tools that help all of us navigate the world of business and life better. Lars is the author of the book "Innovation that Sticks" and his multiple TEDx talks on self-leadership and innovation are top-ranked.  TED talks are "Ideas Worth Spreading" - short talks and presentations that have lit up the internet since 2006. And since # of P&G Alums have shared TEDx talks at official events with their communities - we thought these ideas were worth spreading on our podcast. Are you a P&G Alumni with a TEDx talk? Shoot us a note - pgalumpod@gmail.com - and maybe we'll feature your TEDx talk on a future P&G Alumni Podcast!

"There's this bittersweet tradition that has existed across time and our world - it's the pathway to creativity and connection and transcendence.” Susan Cain is the author of the bestseller Quiet: The Power of Introverts in A World That Can’t Stop Talking, which has been translated into 40 languages, is in its seventh year on the New York Times best seller list, and was named the #1 best book of the year by Fast Company magazine, which also named Cain one of its Most Creative People in Business. Susan’s latest book, Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole, is also a #1 New York Times Bestseller, and explores the power of the bittersweet personality, revealing a misunderstood side of mental health and creativity, while offering a roadmap to facing grief in order to live life to the fullest. But Susan is not exactly a P&G Alumni, so what’s the deal? Alongside our partners at P&G, we’re thrilled to share another episode of P&G’s “More Than Soap” podcast - available exclusively each week to P&G Employees at GetMoreThanSoap.com. On “More Than Soap,” P&G shares weekly conversations with Inspiring guests, unique perspectives, and unconventional ideas. “More Than Soap” is P&G’s official internal podcast - available  to all 100,000 P&G employees worldwide, and hosted by Dorion Positano, P&G’s Director of New Business and Content Innovation. Interested in learning more about P&G’s “More Than Soap” podcast, or P&G Studios, can reach out directly to Dorion on LinkedIn. GetMoreThanSoap.com

“There need to be silences - you need to give people room to run. Let people talk more. I already know what I know now. I wanna know what you know.” Recently P&G Alumni Co-host Rajiv Satyal sat down with Crossroads pastor and podcast host Bryan Tome on his show “The Aggressive Life.” What started as an exploration of Rajiv’s comedy career and approach turned into an open and honest conversation among two very different perspectives on politics, faith, and culture. With the Fourth of July right around the corner for Americans, we celebrate our independence and freedom, but also take an honest reflection on who we are - and want to be - as a nation, and as a people. With today’s level of division and discord , the importance of talking - and listening to others who might not look and think like us. There is a better way from simply passively standing by and retreating to our echo chambers. It's about seeking to understand, which was one of the values many of us were taught during our time at P&G. We hope you’ll enjoy this candid conversation about comedy - and curiosity. 

“Sometimes we fall into the trap of creating one size fits all processes. What's even more important is humanizing experiences with empathy and care.” Mohit Das is a Senior Solution Architect for Retail and CPG customers at Microsoft. Prior to his current role, Mohit built a 26 year career in Consumer Products & Retail, Health Care and Strategy consulting. Most recently Mohit was with the Kellogg Company as the Vice President for the Global Commercial Analytics Centre of excellence, driving data and analytics transformation across the entire commercial value chain. Before Kellogg’s, Mohit worked at McKinsey, Abbott Nutrition, and Procter & Gamble, where he started his career and later served in several Strategy, Insight & Analytic roles within categories like Fabric & Home care, Hair & Beauty Care and Pet Foods in Asia and the US. Mohit earned a bachelor’s of engineering in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management. On the personal front Mohit has lived with his family in Singapore, Bangkok, Mumbai, Cincinnati and Chicago, where he currently resides. He enjoys outdoor activities and is regular at tennis and practicing yoga. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about the importance of finding balance in life.

“You have to be able to laugh. It makes difficult things more achievable. It builds a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. It lifts up the mood, and puts everything in perspective.” Fatima (Fama) D. Francisco is P&G’s CEO of Global Baby, Feminine and Family Care — the company’s second largest sector with $20 billion in sales from brands like Pampers, Always, Bounty and Charmin. Throughout her career, Fama has been a true trailblazer, including: being the first female sales manager hired in P&G Philippines in 1989, among the youngest women promoted to President, and the first Asian female Sector CEO in P&G’s 186-year history. Fama is a respected leader with a track record of turning around businesses, including during her time North America Baby Care, while at the helm of Global Feminine Care, and as the Baby & Feminine Care Sector CEO. An inspiring leader, Fama is a role model known for championing gender and intersectional equality. She is also an advocate for mental health and leads her business with empathy and openness building resilient teams who she empowers to rise up to their full potential. She has four children and currently lives with her family in Cincinnati. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about resiliency, and being a trailblazer in an organization.

“It's less about what you do or where you do it, but more about the people you work with. That's what's going to make a difference - learn from great people and grow.” Angie Hicks is the Co-founder of Angie’s List & Chief Customer Officer at Angie Home Services. Angie Co-founded Angie's List in 1995 and served as CMO and on the company’s Board of Directors. In 2007 she led the merger with IAC Home Advisors to form Angie Home Services. Angie received her MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from DePaul University, which has honored her with a Distinguished Alumni Award for Management and Entrepreneurship, and with the Robert C McDermott Medal for Excellence and Entrepreneurship. Angie’s also the recipient of numerous awards including the Indiana Commission for Women Torchbearer Award for Entrepreneurial Accomplishments, the TechPoint Trailblazer Award, Harvard Business School's Alumni Achievement Award, and Woman Tech founder of the Year. In this P&G Alumni Enrichment webinar, you’ll enjoy hearing about Angie’s personal story of entrepreneurship, and navigating through work and life’s many changes.

“Really focus on people. If you have 500 people working for you, that does not mean that they're working for you, but you are working for 500 people.” Jaideep Bansal is the CEO of Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) Impact Ventures, and one of the P&G Alumni Leaders Under 40. Jaideep worked with P&G in Product Supply for almost 6 years before becoming a social entrepreneur. With GHE, Jaideep is bringing sustainable development to the remotest communities in India. GHE brings solar energy and sustainable development to half a million people across five remote regions in India. Jaideep and his team are the winners of the 2020 UN Climate Action Award. GHE’s work has been documented by National Geographic, BBC and NDTV, and awarded by the WTTC and the World Tourism Awards. Jaideep has been featured repeatedly at Davos among the top leaders inspiring change in the world. He is also an Asia Foundation Fellow and has been recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about social entrepreneurship, how development trumps religion, and living a purpose driven life.