Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast

“Integrity can be a competitive advantage.” Ed Artzt served as P&G’s CEO & Chairman from 1990 to 1995 - during which sales grew to $33 billion, and the company grew well above historic averages. Joining in 1953, Ed led growth on brands like Comet, Zest, Charmin, Bounty, and Folgers. Ed has also served on the boards of American Express, Delta Airlines, GTE and Teradyne. He was active in foreign affairs and an influential advocate of world trade, and on President Clinton’s Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations. Now splitting his time between Florida & Wyoming, Ed shared his perspectives on the importance of storytelling, and the competitive advantage of integrity.

    "Live, Laugh, Love, & Let Go." Kris Malkoski is the CEO of Newell Food Brands - overseeing operations of brands like Ball, FoodSaver, and Rubbermaid. She’s had more than 30 years of proven leadership across Fortune 500 companies, startups and private equity –  like Arc International World Kitchen (Pyrex®, Corelle®, CorningWare), Sears Craftsman, Ubiquity, and of course P&G - where she actually launched the Aleve brand.  Kris serves on the boards of Trustmark Insurance and Fluidmaster, graduated from the University of Nebraska, and has a Six Sigma certification from Villanova University. But most importantly  - she’s a proud mom of 3 amazing kids who have grown up into working, accomplished professionals. In this candid conversation on work and life, Kris shares her unique approach to not just making it work, but making it work better. 

    "Rediscover your passion - find where you need to be." Gustavo Ghory is the Chief Supply Chain Officer of Kimberly Clark. Previously, Gustavo was Co-founder & Chairman of of SmarterChains - a startup focused on driving greater agile manufacturing globally. Gustavo got his start at P&G as a team manager at a plant in Venezuela, with increasing roles responsibilities globally and regionally - overseeing both manufacturing and supply chain functions - in the US, Latin America, and Europe, eventually becoming Vice President Product Supply Global Manufacturing - focusing on creating “the factory of the future” for P&G.   Gustavo has recently moved back to the US (from Geneva) with his wife and five kids. He’s an avid runner and cyclist. He  studied Chemical Engineering from the Universidad Simon Bolivar in Caracas Venezuela, serves on numerous advisory boards, and is a member of the International Society of Business Leaders - collaborating with The World Economic Forum in manufacturing related initiatives. 

    "There is no bending your principles and values, you either stick by them or you don't.” Qaisar Shareef spent a 30 year career at Procter & Gamble - where he most recently led the company’s operations in Pakistan - which is actually an organization he helped build for the company many years prior when P&G was first starting business in Pakistan. During his time with the P&G, Qaisar also held country leadership roles for the Ukraine. He’s the author of “When Tribesmen Came Calling: Building an Enduring American Business in Pakistan.” In a candid conversation about living and working out of your comfort zone, Qaisar shares not just his perspective of establishing a viable business in an emerging market, but also about returning home - multiple times - to make an impact on both sides of the world.    Qaisar is based in the Washington DC area where he is an advisory partner to Ward Howell International. He also teaches at George Washington University’s Department of International Business. Qaisar serves on the board of HOPE USA, OPEN DC, and Transparent Hands, a crowdfunding platform helping cover the underprivileged’s health care costs. He’s also on the Executive Committee of US Pakistan Foundation, and is president of Montgomery County Muslim Council. Qaisar has a Bachelor of Science degree from the Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, and an MBA from the University of Cincinnati.  

    "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.