Category: Global Conference
Make your travel plans for Berlin over the Holidays!
Published December 12, 2024 by pgalums in
Are You an Early Bird?
We chose the theme “Navigating through Uncertainty” as many of us are going through change and face uncertainties on a micro and macro economic level. We offer you speeches, panels and break-out sessions on four key success factors for future-proof leadership:
We have already announced some speakers in the last newsletter and are orchestrating their valuable input around these topics. Today, we reveal one of the agenda highlights you can expect on June 13 & 14, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt in Berlin:Stefan Homeister, founder of the Leitwolf Academy for Leadership will have a fireside chat with former P&G CEO David Taylor and the young tech start-up founder Daniel Dippold to bring together the best of two worlds: the dynamic, risk-embracing spirit of highly successful tech start-ups and the disciplined, value-based and consumer-focused leadership of a 188-year-old FMCG giant.
Be prepared to gain exclusive insights into how the entrepreneurial agility of the tech world can drive innovation within established structures. And to explore how the stability and strategic foresight of a global FMCG leader can inspire sustainable growth among fast-paced start-ups. A unique dialogue that promises actionable lessons for leaders navigating through disruption and transformation to achieve long-term success.
Sound promising? Well, this is just the beginning! Our list of speakers grows as we move forward with our planning. You can also look forward to:
- Bracken Darrell, CEO of VF Corporation, one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies
- Karl Krainer, Chief Thinker & Founder at Gedankenfabrik,
a reinvention consultancy - Veronika Rost, Managing Director of Philip Morris Germany,
working on the vision of delivering a smoke-free future - Jutta dos Santos Miquelino, co-CEO of the consultancy dos Santos and author of the recently published book “The Glass Elevator”,
a transformative leadership program
See the full list of speakers on our website which is updated continuously. Forward this link to P&G alumni of your personal network and invite them to join and meet you in Berlin!
We are looking forward to sharing one highlight in 2025 with many of you in Berlin and will make sure to keep you regularly updated about the planning.
Wishing you magical holidays with your families and friends and a healthy, optimistic start in 2025!
A Letter From The Chairman Of The Board
Published December 9, 2024 by pgalums in
Dear Members of the P&G Alumni Network Advisory Board,
Chairman’s Note—For many years, it has been our tradition to provide our Advisory Board and the membership as a whole with an end-of-year letter describing the state of the Network. A couple of years ago, we decided to formalize the Foundation portion of this letter and create the Annual Impact Report with stories, pictures, and updates about the Foundations’ key activities during the calendar year which was sent out last month. This letter returns to our more personal approach in updating the Network itself.
I am pleased to report that 2024 finds the Network and our Foundation to be very healthy, continuing to grow and positioned well for the future.
Following our successful 2023 Global Conference held in Washington, DC we are well into the execution of our 2025 conference in Berlin—continuing our history of alternating these events between North American and other key geographies. The event is being organized by our German Chapter and led by Board Vice Chair Ute Hagen and German Chair Otmar Debald. The event will take place at the Grand Hyatt in the center of Berlin and will run from Thursday evening, June 12 through Saturday evening, June 14. Among many others, David Taylor has agreed to be an important part of the agenda. We hope many of you will attend.
Financially, we continue to be on very solid footing and the Foundation had a banner year which you can track in the Impact Report. Rest assured that our conservative approach to financials has the Network and the Foundation protected with the funds needed to operate for several years and plans underway to expand our ability to generate the funding required to grow our offerings for our alumni.
In 2024 we added several new faces to the Network Board and thank several of our peers who have moved on. Joining the Board are Hanxi Zhao from China, Neil Comerford from the UK and South Africa, Fer Jimenez Riveroll from Mexico, and Kendra Speed from the US. We want to thank Stevi Carr, Lisa Reynolds, and Michelle Solano for their service. Our board continues to reflect the diversity of our membership and the global reach of our mission.
Consistent with our mission, we continue to expand our offerings, adding them to our existing enrichment programs, and dramatically improving our communications tools and processes, all in order to serve our members better.
Notable successes, among our programs and initiatives, include:
- Our “Learnings from Leaders” podcast continues to grow its audience.
- Our webinar series, including those in Spanish, continues to secure compelling speakers.
- Our Coaching Program – designed and managed by our Women’s Leadership Forum— expanded out of the test and continues to receive very positive feedback. Moreover, we are exploring ways to bring the expertise of our coaches to the employees of companies run by our alumni.
- Our Peer-to-Peer leadership teams—CEOs, CMOs, and C-Level Women—in >$1B companies continued to gain traction and were an integral part of the global conference. We are exploring groups for CFOs, CIOs, and others.
- Our entrepreneur Business Catapult program has been revised to provide opportunities to alumni entrepreneurs, coaches, and investors – with a financial benefit for the Network.
- Our Younger Alumni efforts are being bolstered by the addition of several younger alumni to the Board.
Further:
- We executed a new event at the Conference dedicated to our Black Alumni with the objective of better serving this community. Kendra Speed has taken on the leadership of that forum.
- We continued to add and build our chapter organization and had several chapter leaders in attendance at the Conference. Ranu Gupta who leads our chapter efforts has helped us add chapters in several cities and countries around the world.
- As can be seen in the 2024 Alumni Foundation Impact Report, our Foundation had another remarkable year in terms of both fundraising and grants, dramatically increasing our impact against the objective of alumni involvement in fostering economic empowerment around the world.
As we enter 2025 in a world of greater uncertainty than we have encountered in some time, we continue to believe that the shared values that connect us as alumni will allow us to deal with whatever comes our way. My own belief has always been that when we harness the experience, expertise, and creativity of Procter people, we can make great things happen.
As we move forward, I am pleased to report that the Network and the Foundation are healthy and thriving – and it’s all thanks to you.
From our families to yours, our sincere wish for 2025 of Peace On Earth and Goodwill toward Everyone.
Ed Tazzia, Chairman
Be an Early Bird to join the bi-annual conference with and for P&G alumni
Published November 21, 2024 by pgalums in
Be an Early Bird to join the bi-annual conference with and for P&G alumni
– Spouses and your next generation are welcome too –
Every two years, P&G alumni from around the world reunite to share wisdom and fun for some days during a curated conference at a special venue.
2025 the choice was made for the Berlin Grand Hyatt Hotel
35 years ago, the “wind of change” blew in Berlin, leading to the reunification of the two German countries and the fall of the iron curtain between East and West in Europe. Now, P&G alumni will gather in Berlin to get inspired and co-create ideas on how to navigate through ever-growing uncertainty in a world that is changing more rapidly and fundamentally than ever.
How can we P&G Alumni in our very diverse roles continue to be at the forefront of future-proofing leadership?
We already have more than 60 registered early birds who will get together on June 12-14, 2025 to dive into the four key topics framing the 2-days conference:
- Resilience and Sustainability of companies and organizations
- Human-centricity as a key success factor
- Agility and Digital Disruption
- Beyond Corporate (the eco-system of entrepreneurship) shaping the world in the non-profit sector.
Besides our P&G Alumni Award winners, we have already secured such outstanding alumni as Austin Lally, Dalia Feldheim, Jim Lafferty, Stefan Homeister, Bob Kunze-Concewitz, Anke Hampel, Till Wahnbaeck sharing their insights with us and leading break-out sessions. Many more speakers are getting on board as we shape the agenda of this inspiring conference!
The keynotes and panel discussions throughout the first day will be closed with an Alumni award dinner at the Grand Hyatt.
On the second day, we will have a gala dinner at Spreespeicher, an event location specially chosen for dinner and dancing in the well-known P&G spirit.
To share this overall experience with your spouses and even your adult children, tailored programs are being prepared to get you all excited about this special occasion in Berlin. These include exclusive Get-your-Guide tours as well as special discussions and CEO meet-ups in addition to the main program for your next generation and young alumni.
What are you waiting for? Get your ticket here!
Who has not yet seen David Taylor in the last newsletter, here he is again inviting you all to be part of the upcoming gathering!
Check our webpage frequently as we will continuously update how many P&G alumni have already signed up and who will take part in leading the program.
Video Replay DC23 Meeting the Moment - Global Conference Day One | The Landing
Published November 5, 2024 by Elsie Gallegos in
This week last year we were MEETING THE MOMENT and making P&G Alumni biennial history in Washington, DC!
The high and the halo from DC23 could only happen with the talent of P&G alumni who answered the call.
Once again, MUCH GRATITUDE to the many who carried out the mission for us to have unbelievably memorable moments — the 100+ speakers, the delivery team of 52, the 28 sponsors, and the 14 partners – who together helped us MEET THE MOMENT!
Heartfelt kudos to alumnae Elsie Gallegos, Karla Bousquet, Nicole VillaRojo for going above & beyond!
THANK YOU to all 400+ who were able to join us in situ…
Let’s do it again @Berlin25!
Video Replay DC23 Meeting the Moment - Global Conference Day One | The Landing
Business Catapult: Entrepreneur Empowerment
Published October 15, 2024 by Elsie Gallegos in
A powerful network of insightful Investors and inspiring Entrepreneurs.”
“The Catapult program strives to benefit three key stakeholder groups :
– P&G Alumni Network-led startups.
– Investors.
– Industry and operational experts.
The program leverages complementarities between these three groups to maximize the net value that is collectively generated.”
David Taylor invites all P&G alumni to join a magnificent event.
Published October 14, 2024 by pgalums in
Early bird deals are open for registration!
Are you looking forward to the upcoming Global Conference for P&G Alumni from all over the world gathering in Berlin for the first time? June 12-14, 2025 is the date which will mark this great get-together.
REGISTER NOW AT https://bit.ly/400Vjf7
Navigating through uncertainty can be done with different superpowers. Our speakers will inspire you with what they practice and what has proven to stabilize their business and people during these times. They are open to sharing their secrets exclusively with P&G alumni as a gesture to give back to the alma mater which unites us all.
David Taylor, former CEO of P&G had already agreed at the Global Conference in Washington in 2023 to join the next one as he very much appreciates the growth mindset of P&G alumni and their solution-oriented attitude. Listen to his words in his video message here and follow his call to be one of the early birds to book your ticket. “Early bird”-tickets are available now at 499€ (full price will be 649€)
Registration for the Global Conference in Berlin 2025 open now!
Published September 26, 2024 by pgalums in
Be an early bird and get a great deal!
Are you curious to discover how leading minds of the P&G alumni network are navigating through uncertainty leveraging leadership, communication and entrepreneurial skills?
Do you want to get the latest perspective of what AI, sustainability and diversity can add to our lives and how they make the world a better place for us and our grandchildren?
Do you feel energized by interactions with 400 alumni in break-out sessions, panel discussions, one-to-one encounters, fun, and dance in hand-selected venues?
Is it intriguing for you to spend a long weekend in Berlin during the best season of the year, with the longest days and shortest nights? We offer you a unique opportunity on June 12-14 next year!
If your answer is “yes” to these questions, we are pleased to open registrations to those who want to share their enthusiasm for this extra-ordinary business conference with former P&G CEO David Taylor, 7 P&G Alumni Award winners, a multi-national Orga Team and around 400 P&G alumni.
We will share more speakers over the next months.
Follow us and be surprised who will be announced next!
“Early bird”-tickets are available now at 499€ (full price will be 649€) here.
P&G brought us together – P&G Alumni keep us together
Let’s keep the P&G spirit alive and embrace it as a superpower to face any uncertainties coming up in the future!
Published July 9, 2024 by pgalums in
Since our inception, the P&G Alumni Network has recognized P&G Alumni leaders who have continued to impact their industries and communities, during and beyond their service at P&G. We asked you to nominate Alumni members, and a committee of P&G Alumni peers reviewed all nominees and have made the final selection! Congratulations to the 2025 P&G Alumni Awards recipients:
Allison Kirkby—Diversity and Inclusion Award
Allison is an outstanding recipient of the 2025 P&G Alumni Diversity and Inclusion Award. As the CEO of FTSE 100 British Telecom, she has proven herself an outstanding leader who delivers great results and inclusive cultures through classic best practices: publishing targets, measuring progress, and being held accountable for results.
While Allison was on the BT Board, the organization made public its targets for increasing its workforce diversity: 32% female, 13% ethnic minority, and 10% disabled by 2025; and 25% ethnic minority by 2030. Since becoming Chief Executive, BT has made headlines for confirming that the representation of minority communities in local areas positively affects decisions around where offices are based.
Furthermore, Allison has linked a proportion of her bonus to BT’s success in hitting its ambitious diversity targets.
Allison has shown that inclusive culture is at the very heart of her leadership at BT — all while delivering better business results.
Aliyu Mohammed Ali—Early Achievement
Aliyu has been selected as the recipient for the Early Achievement Award for transforming the traditional waste management industry of Dubai as the CEO/Co-Founder of Ehfaaz, a six-year-old circular economy company committed to closed-loop resource recovery. Ehfaaz gives used resources new life, utilizing discarded materials from the CPG industry to produce organic compost, animal feed, and industrial cleaning products.
His innovations are modernizing recycling and waste management methods to create a more sustainable world. Aliyu has been featured in many Dubai and international publications. The UN’s annual climate change conferences featured Ehfaaz’s solutions at COP27 and Aliyu was a featured speaker at COP28. A PGAF board officer, Aliyu is also a mentor to business startups.
Aliyu is an ardent advocate for the UN’s goals on climate change. True to his mission to sustain the world’s resources, his company name, Ehfaaz, means “to protect” in English.
Deborah Kielty—Community Service
A familiar name to most alumni, Deb Kielty has been selected as the recipient for the Community Service Award in recognition of her 30+ years of volunteer and nonprofit leadership – including roles as, World Trade Center Institute President, Families with Children from China Board Chair, Johns Hopkins Jhpiego Trustee and more.
In 2001, Deb joined the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI), a nonprofit focused on driving new ideas and connections for growth and global good. After retiring from P&G Deb spent 20 years as WTCI President. Deb and her team have hosted knowledge exchange programs for over 8,000 visiting international professionals – covering hundreds of topics ranging from combating human trafficking to reducing recidivism — all in partnership with the U.S. State Department International Visitors Leadership Program. Under Deb’s leadership, WTCI grew its impact 8-fold behind the IVLP and many other innovative new programs – including Women Spanning the Globe Leadership, Global Pathways for Students, and AGILE Global Innovation.
For the past 10 years, Deb has also served on the global Johns Hopkins Jhpiego Board, a $400 million non-profit providing women and families living in poverty access to high-quality health care. She served for six years as a Trustee for Baltimore Outreach Services, one of the only homeless shelters that accept women and children. She served for 20 years on Baltimore’s Council on Foreign Affairs, bringing global thought-leaders to the mid-Atlantic. She was appointed to the Governor’s Subcabinet on International Affairs under several administrations in her home state of Maryland, receiving a Distinguished Service citation from Senator Mikulski.
Elliott Millenson—John E. Pepper Humanitarian Award
Because of Elliot Millenson, the recipient of the John E. Pepper Humanitarian Award, untold thousands of people are alive and living fuller lives today. He has consistently used skills gained in brand management at P&G to serve humanity. After P&G, at Harvard Business School, he helped develop the marketing strategy for the US Office on Smoking & Health, the government’s first anti-smoking campaign, (and wrote a case study on the challenges of government marketing).
In the 1980s, he was founder and CEO of Direct Access Diagnostics, giving consumers direct access to laboratory testing from the privacy of home. Thereby opening up the home testing market for infectious diseases – developing the world’s first home HIV test. Clinical trials demonstrated safety and efficacy – with results identical to the best HIV lab tests available — and survey data revealed three times as many people would test with a home HIV test versus face to face testing. It took a nine-year fight but Elliott persevered and succeeded in getting the world’s first home HIV test approved.
Today, home HIV testing is recognized by the World Health Organization and health authorities around the world as an important tool, providing a confidential, safe, and private way to test for HIV, thereby preventing new HIV infections, and getting infected people into treatment.
Elliott is currently a Board member of Harm Reduction Therapeutics, a non-profit pharmaceutical company which recently received FDA approval for an OTC version of the opioid antidote naloxone. His advocacy for home COVID testing — pushing the Federal government to develop and then broadly distribute rapid home COVOD tests– resulted in the distribution of hundreds of millions of tests, impacting millions of lives.
Kevin Houston—Innovation Award
Dealing with our environment is a global imperative. Kevin Houston is the Innovation Award recipient for his work in making a significant step in the right direction.
Kevin co-founded Carbon Masters — a climate tech company, established first in the UK in 2009, and then launched Carbonlites in India in 2012. Their stated mission is to reduce carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuels consumption with innovative, clean energy, low carbon solutions and products.
Kevin and his people have pioneered the conversion of food and agri-wastes to produce two climate-friendly products, sold and marketed under the brand name Carbonlites.
- Carbonlites Bio-Enriched Organic Manure — a carbon enriched organic fertilizer which puts carbon back into the soil and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers,
- Carbonlites Bio-CNG, carbon neutral fuel displacing diesel for electricity generation and transport, and LPG for commercial cooking
Both mitigate carbon emissions and reduce the risks of climate change.
With the unprecedented rise in fossil fuel prices and the world only a decade away from avoiding the worst consequences of climate change, there is now an even greater need for low carbon solutions.
Ilaria Resta—John G. Smale General Management Award
IIaria Resta is recognized for the John Smale General Management Award and her many contributions across industries.
Ilaria is a passionate business leader with expertise in brand building, sales, and P&L management. She has more than 22 years of experience at Procter & Gamble with a track record helping business transform crisis into success, renewing P&G’s European Hair Care business and, prior to that, restructuring the Duracell business before successful divestiture. As Vice President, Hair Care, North America, Ilaria and her team delivered the strongest business results in 11 years, growing market share and penetration, increasing double-digit revenues and high single digit profit, and transforming the product portfolio and retail distribution.
At Firmenich, Ilaria and her team delivered consistent top line and bottom improvements, achieving leading share in the Perfumery and Ingredients business (growing revenues under her three years tenure with a CAGR of 26%). She was the business leader who drove the merger with DSM and launched a successful IPO reaching a market cap of $30Bn.
llaria is acknowledged by WWD as Brand Builder of the Year in the US in 2019, from CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) as winner of the Global Achiever Award, and as a number one Swiss business leader from the Italy-Swiss Chamber of Commerce.
Ilaria joined Audemars Piguet as CEO in August 2023, where her mission is to strengthen the foundation for accelerated growth and brand expansion.
Rad Ewing—McElroy Award
Rad Ewing is the recipient of the McElroy Award. Rad led important marketing practice innovations at P&G that generated growth across all categories. These principles became the foundation of modern marketing practice, including
- Point of Market Entry insights and programs that tied marketing to life stages
- Marketing Best Practices analysis and creation of the mNet online resource to make P&G marketing knowledge more accessible and applicable
- Product Initiative Success analysis and incorporation into the SIMPL product launch system that increased new product success rates
- Shopper Marketing Framework that enabled retailers to better meet shopper needs and transformed P&G retail partnerships
- Brand Building Framework that reinvented P&G’s marketing approach
After a long and storied career at P&G, including receiving the first P&G Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, Rad went on to a consulting career applying these principles successfully in non-competing industries (Coca Cola Beverages, Samsung Electronics, McCormick, and non profit organizations).
His evidenced-based, curiosity-forward approach led to many important advancements in marketing for P&G and the industry. Rad is rooted firmly in data and asks the “why” question to unlock the possibilities of making something better.
Learn more about the category descriptions on our website, and be sure to register for the 2025 P&G Alumni Global Conference in Berlin to attend the awards ceremony!
Seabourn Moments
Published October 17, 2023 by pgalums in
Dear Procter & Gamble Alums,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. As many of you know, I have recently taken the role of Seabourn Cruise Line President, the jewel of ultra-luxury all-inclusive cruising. Additionally, our own Sara Mathew joined the Carnival Corporation board and just completed her first vacation on our Expedition ship.
Since assuming my role at Seabourn, I have been humbled and honored by the number of former P&G colleagues who have reached out expressing their curiosity and desire to sail with us. This overwhelming response inspired me and my team to create something special—exclusively for you.
At Seabourn, we pride ourselves on being an ultra-luxury cruise line that caters to extraordinary individuals seeking out-of-the-ordinary experiences. You, my dear friends, are the epitome of such remarkable people. Highly intellectual, endlessly curious, elegant yet genuine, down to earth, and real.
Therefore, it is my great pleasure to extend an exclusive discount code to all our former P&G colleagues as I truly believe you would find your “home away from home” with Seabourn. I would love nothing more than to welcome you aboard our luxurious ships to indulge in the finest experiences the world has to offer. Please use the discount code PANDG for a 20% special discount on top of our public offer on all expedition voyages OR a 10% discount on all regular cruises. You can book online or through our dedicated Personal Cruise Consultant for all P&G friends:
- Debra Patrick
- Phone: 800-929-4747 Option 15 or EXT 29482
- Email: DPatrick@Seabourn.com
I really hope you enjoy this opportunity to embark on a voyage of discovery, relax amidst luxury, and create cherished memories with loved ones, all with highly curated, warm, and authentic Seabourn signature service enhanced by many surprise and delight flashes that we call “Seabourn Moments.” Of course, I can’t wait to hear back from you. You won’t find anything like the value of ultra-luxury Seabourn experiences, where everything is included in the price: fine dining, premium wines and beverages, Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment, and shore excursions on expedition ships. Gratuities are neither required nor expected.
We look forward to welcoming you onboard and showering you with our well-known “Seabourn Moments” which really are YOUR Moments designed only for YOU.
Warm regards,
Natalya Leahy
P.S. I can’t resist sharing one of our incredible videos – you’ll wish you were sailing tomorrow!
For more updates and live stories, please feel free to follow Seabourn on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. You can also follow me @NatalyaLeahy for my personal take!
Power of Purpose
Published by pgalums in
We are looking forward to seeing many of you in-person at the DC23 P&G Global Alumni Conference. Join us on for an exciting, insight-filled discussion led by Paula Berezin with our own dynamic alums – John Pepper, David Taylor, Najoh Tita-Reid, Brooklyn Boston, Sarah Woods, and iDE. Learn how the power of purpose is driving impact in industry, advertising, philanthropy, and more.
Don’t miss this incredible DC23 Conference and our panel discussion.
Global Conference Gala Dinner
Published October 15, 2023 by pgalums in
Did you know? Only 11% of art in museums feature female artists?
We are thrilled to be hosting our DC23: “Meeting the Moment” gala evening at the world’s first museum championing female achievement in the arts—The National Museum of Women in the Arts.
P&G CEO Jon Moeller will share remarks on what it means to meet this moment. We will celebrate our seven Alumni Awardees following which Howard University’s Afro Blue a cappella jazz ensemble will take the stage. It will be a night to be remembered! Don’t miss!
A limited number of gala-only tickets are available.
Doors will open at 6:30pm on Saturday 11/4 for a gallery viewing of work by Judy Chicago, Frida Kahlo, Amy Sherald, Georgia O’Keeffe as well as an ambitious new exhibition: “The Sky’s the Limit,” and other newly acquired artwork. Dress Code: Cocktail.
Global Conference DC23 Schedule
Published by pgalums in
Are you ready for this exceptional lineup of events that will inspire, educate, and connect you with industry leaders and visionaries?
Register today to join the global conversation!
Join us at the Global Conference 2023: "Meeting the Moment"
Of Note: LAST CALL for negotiated room rates at the hotels is Friday. The Renaissance just converted to a WESTIN last week. There are other Westins in DC. Be sure to use the address upon arrival to avoid confusion Westin Washington DC Downtown – 999 9th ST NW.
2023 Alumni Award Recipients
Published October 2, 2023 by Elsie Gallegos in
Jack McFadden – Community Service
Jack McFadden has been recognized for the Community Service award based on the impact of his contributions to Wilton, CT and its surrounding communities for more than 40 years. It started with a very personal experience. In 1980, Jack’s daughter Melissa was born with Downs Syndrome; two days after her birth Jack joined STAR, Lighting the way. STAR’s mission is to provide opportunities for individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Jack’s leadership with STAR started with Melissa but his hands-on advocacy for people with disabilities is evident to this day. He has served as President of STAR twice and STAR Residential once. As President of STAR Residential he was the driving force behind the merger of the two entities to magnify their impact and benefit from the resources, scale, and leadership. The result was one of the most prominent and most highly praised organizations serving the handicapped in Connecticut, including 700 families just in the Wilton area and a $9MM budget. For STAR’s 50th anniversary he brainstormed the “Galaxy of Stars” – 50 street art stars for local towns. The annual “Galaxy of Stars” gala has generated more than $3.5MM.
The list goes on. His work with the Wilton Interfaith Action Committee has included the largest single-day volunteer event in New England. Typically, 750 volunteers package 150,000-160,000 meals. In 2001 Jack established the Melissa McFadden Memorial Scholarship for Wilton High School seniors who demonstrate compassion and support for people with special needs. While many individuals contribute financially to local organizations, Jack gives his most valuable resources – his time, his creativity, and his talents. For all these reasons we recognize Jack McFadden.
Greg Allgood – John E. Pepper Humanitarian
There are few things more basic to life than water and in a world where so many people are deprived of this basic necessity, Greg Allgood brings new meaning to humanitarian.
Dr. Greg Allgood is vice president of water for World Vision. In this role, Allgood leads the establishment of alliances with corporations, foundations, and individuals to enable World Vision to bring access to clean water to millions more people around the world. Prior to joining World Vision in 2013, Allgood was the founder and director of the Procter & Gamble Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program and a Senior Fellow in Sustainability. Dr. Allgood was with P&G for 26 years and led its efforts to provide safe drinking water in the developing world, oversaw P&G’s global emergency response efforts, and helped manage P&G’s partnerships with the Clinton Global Initiative, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, WHO, USAID, and other nonprofit organizations. He has a doctoral degree in toxicology from North Carolina State University and a Master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, where he did research in water quality.
During the last 20 years, more than two billion people have been reached with clean water. World Vision has been a part of this effort as the number one non-governmental provider of clean water, reaching one person with clean water every 10 seconds. Yet the search for clean water is robbing women and girls of their futures. Women and children in the developing world walk a combined 200 million miles a day to find clean water. Delivering clean water can transform entire communities. For his work in bringing this life-saving essential to the people of the world, the Alumni Network recognizes Dr. Greg Allgood.
Ilhiana Rojas – Diversity & Inclusion
Ilhiana has been a trailblazer in empowering and supporting the advancement of Hispanic women in leadership to reduce the gender and wage gap. She is a certified expert in DEI best practices and has coached and trained hundreds of women, especially women of color, to help them grow their career and elevate their voices. She published the book “Extraordinary Latinas” to build the visibility of 10 Latinas, helping them open many doors. And she recently co-launched a new organization called United Latinas to amplify and connect Latinas and allies. Additionally, her philanthropic efforts include creating a yearly spotlight campaign during Women’s month and Hispanic Heritage month to highlight the accomplishments of rising Latinas. She is an Executive Board member for the Association of Latino Professionals for America where she is responsible for defining and overseeing the program curriculum for the professional development of the organization’s members across all levels (from entry-level to C-Suite) throughout the year. She also supports partner organizations to create more inclusive cultures through different learning and networking opportunities. Signature programs she has developed and overseen to drive equal opportunity for Latinos in the workplace include a Coaching & Mentoring program, a Leadership program, and the much sought out Latina Summit. Further, she is a past Board member and current Board Advisor to the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to support the growth of Latino small businesses.
Ilhiana’s passion and commitment to elevate unheard voices and build inclusive leaders and cultures is palpable. Her work has helped numerous Hispanic leaders build their self-confidence and visibility to create more inclusive and psychologically safe cultures.
Navin Gupta – Early Achievement
Navin Gupta is currently Vice President of Marketing at Henry Schein, heading up the US Commercial team. Navin has over 15 years of marketing and general management experience and has held senior positions at Procter & Gamble, Guthy|Renker, and Danaher. Navin has founded and sold multiple companies since leaving P&G. In 2021 Navin sold his bootstrapped Amazon brand called Turmaquik to Suma Brands. In 2022 Navin sold his VC backed digital health company called PeerWell to Bardavon Health. Navin is an active startup mentor and has helped more than 20 entrepreneurs. Additionally, he is on the board of the non-profit Team Smile, the University of Illinois dental school and is the corporate sponsor for an employee resource group focused on Asian employees. Navin’s work includes launching the Head & Shoulders partnership with the NFL featuring Troy Polamalu – rated by ACNielsen as the best branded integration in league history.
Today, Navin has a visible senior role at a Fortune 250 company, runs an ecommerce CPG business in his spare time, and is active with his family and community.
Paul Trokhan – Innovation
Paul has been the leading technologist and inventor behind the unique technology that has created the consumer superiority advantage for three major P&G brands –Bounty, Charmin, and Puffs. Paul conceptualized proprietary designs to produce unique paper characteristics. The breakthrough technology was entirely new to the world and required overcoming major obstacles and delivering major inventions. Market testing of the new technology began in the mid-1980’s. There were major setbacks in the start-up, and challenges were so severe that the project was almost terminated –TWICE – but Paul and his team eventually handled every obstacle. As a result of his team’s work, Bounty doubled its share to 40% and gained market leadership during the 1990 decade. Since then, the disposable towel market has grown 10 times more than the population growth. Paul’s work supported P&G receiving the US Medal of Technology in 1995 – an award usually going to an individual researcher. This was the first ever recognition of any company, let alone a consumer goods company.
Paul has been recognized as a charter member of the P&G Victor Mills Society in 1992 – a first ever recognition of individual achievement within P&G and P&G Research & Development. He has received the gold medal from P&G CEO Ed Artzt. Although many of the early basic patents expired in 2005, competition has yet to close the gap in performance due to the tremendous technical difficulty, and ongoing technical improvements and patents that Paul and his team achieved. This is an innovation achievement which clearly deserves the recognition of the P&G Alumni Innovation Award.
Esi Eggleston Bracey – John G. Smale General Management
Esi Eggleston Bracey is a transformational business executive with over 28 years of experience in general management, brand building, and marketing leadership. She has a track record of success in creating, accelerating, and turning around business results across branded product categories, sectors, and geographies through marketing and operational excellence.
Each day Esi Eggleston Bracey pushes for her organizations to be better than the day before – to dig deeper and think differently versus established principles. During her tenure at P&G she led Global Cosmetics to the highest rate in growth in the prior 10 years. After the acquisition of Global Cosmetics to Coty, her people appreciated Esi’s candor in highlighting the challenges that female leaders face as an “only” at the top, navigating the double bind – motherhood and life as a black woman. It was clear that whatever company was going to have the honor of her time would need to understand she would only be able to lead if the organization was ready for her to do it her way. And as she’s navigated her journey to Unilever, it is clear she’s done just that, leading incredible growth in equity and sales for their NA Beauty and Personal Care Business. Most recently Esi received the She Runs it 2020 Woman of the Year award, acknowledged for her contributions to women’s advancement in leadership showcasing achievement in what personal and professional realignment looks like, and reinventing what General Management looks like for men and women alike.
Jim Stengel – McElroy
Jim is the former Global Marketing Officer of $76B Procter & Gamble, where he oversaw an $8B advertising budget and had organizational responsibility for nearly 7,000 people. Highly regarded, his leadership was recognized in 2008 when P&G was honored as the 2008 Cannes International Advertising Festival Advertiser of the Year for the first time in company history.
Jim is best known for reinvigorating P&G’s marketing culture. In his seven years as Global Marketing Officer, he personally led the transformation that has firmly established P&G as one of the most admired brand-building companies in the world by serving the consumer. P&G sales doubled during Jim’s tenure.
Prior to his promotion to P&G’s top advertising and marketing position in 2001, Jim had P&L responsibility for the company’s European baby care business. Previously, Jim held positions of increasing responsibility in P&G’s developing markets, Cosmetic, and Food businesses. Before joining P&G in 1983, he spent four years at Time Incorporated in the Time-Life Books division.
One of Jim’s focus areas is to “give back” by inspiring younger people who will be the next generation of business professionals. In 2009, he was appointed Adjunct Professor of Marketing at the UCLA Anderson School of Management where he taught for four years. In 2017, Jim was appointed Senior Fellow and Adjunct Professor within the Northwestern Kellogg Markets & Customers Initiative. Since 2011, Jim has served as Dean of the Young Marketers Academy at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. In 2013, he pioneered the CMO Accelerator program at the Cannes Lions Festival and continues to serve as Dean.
Announcing 2023 "Under 40 Leaders to Watch"
Published September 5, 2023 by pgalums in
We are delighted to announce the 2023 P&G Alumni Network “Under 40 Leaders to Watch”!
We searched through our network for younger alumni who are actively engaged in making the world a better place through their leadership and commitment in both business and community action—and what an inspiring group of leaders we found! Thanks to our judging committee of P&G Alumni Network Board and Chapter members.
At the Global Conference in November, we will recognize and celebrate the 2023 “Under 40 Leaders to Watch” on stage. We hope you join us in person. In the meantime, we are excited to share their names:
The “Leaders Under 40 to Watch” Committee, the P&G Alumni Network Conference Committee, and the P&G Alumni Network Board extend their sincere congratulations!
2021 Global Conference: Fireside Chat: An Inclusive World with Katie Couric and Marc Pritchard
Published March 3, 2022 by pgalums in
2021 Global Conference: Fireside Chat: An Inclusive World with Katie Couric and Marc Pritchard
2021 Global Conference: Fireside Chat: An Inclusive World with Katie Couric and Marc S. Pritchard
Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer of Procter & Gamble, sat down with renowned award-winning journalist Katie Couric, founder of Katie Couric Media, to share their vision of a fairer and more equitable world through media and advertising. Pritchard mentioned of how P&G, as the world’s largest advertiser, strives to portray diversity in its messages to reach everyone.
Couric concurred and spoke of the importance of accurate portrayals, images, and representation, influenced by the work of Mahzarin Banaji, on how are brains are hardwired to make associations and connections and that we must not simply allow white men to be associated with positions of powers. She spoke of growing up with women only portrayed as stay-at-home moms and having to insist that she would not just cover cooking or fashion shows. “We need to see more diversity in positions of power, decision-making positions”, stressed Couric.
This talk was presented during the 2021 Alumni Network Global Conference.
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