There is a tremendous amount to celebrate and learn from when looking at Herbert’s career – contributions to the business and legacy in terms of the values he instilled in generations of young people.

Herbert had one of the most remarkable, global careers, joining P&G in Germany in 1966 and holding leadership positions across the USA, Austria, Scandinavia, Mexico, France, the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Perhaps his most notable contribution was spearheading P&G’s expansion into Central and Eastern Europe, recognizing the region’s potential.

I first met Herbert in 1987 in Paris, where he was the outgoing General Manager, and began working with him in 1995. At a time of personal doubt after turning down two assignments, Herbert reached out: “I’m offering you an assignment in Eastern Europe—based in Moscow. You’ll start as Marketing Director and become General Manager. This will be crucial for P&G and for rekindling your passion for the company.” The rest is history, with Maria and me cherishing our Moscow years as one of life’s highlights.

Herbert was a giant in every sense—his presence unmistakable, his intellect immense, his heart even bigger. While he kept discussions short and to the point, with questions like, “How much have we shipped today?” or “What have you done for the company today?” and the classic, “Should I worry when I see you?”, Herbert’s mind was razor-sharp and strategic. Behind his sometimes gruff exterior was a scholar, holding both a Master’s and Ph.D. in Economics from top universities in Germany, Austria, and France.

Most remarkable was Herbert’s deep care for people. He took personal responsibility for others’ careers, even at junior levels. During the Russian crisis, he didn’t just consider numbers; he cared about people. Herbert and John Pepper were instrumental in keeping P&G in Russia during the 1998–1999 economic collapse when many competitors exited—a brilliant strategic decision that still strengthens P&G in the region.

Herbert’s legacy lives on through the values he embodied:

1. Transparency – Do as you say, say what you do, and keep it simple—“Shipments are strategic.”
2. Courage and Ownership – Take personal responsibility; if you don’t, how can you expect others to?
3. Care for People – Take care of your people, and they will take care of the business.
4. Perseverance – Work hard but enjoy the journey.
5. Humility – Herbert let results speak for themselves; he never bragged.

Over nearly 40 years of knowing Herbert, I understood he had Only two great love stories: his wife, Monica, his partner since university, and the P&G company and its people.

Rest in peace, Herbert. You will be remembered and missed forever.

Stassi Anastassov

With our theme “Together in Growth & Gratitude” in this report, please enjoy life-changing stories and the many smiles of our P&G alumni grant champions and grant beneficiaries—with 223,000+ lives improved across 42 countries! Click the Alumni Foundation’s 2023-24 Impact Report image and link below to enjoy success stories, exciting new ways alums have gotten involved, and our financial picture.

With a sense of gratitude for the skills learned and lifelong friendships made at P&G, alums are paying it forward. Together we are harnessing the power of the Global P&G Alumni Network to give charitably and apply our expertise to help drive economic empowerment for generations to come. We hope you share our excitement, and you will help us do even more in years to come.

Sponsoring Alumni Greg York leads various volunteer groups and coordinates farm maintenance and building management. His leadership, alongside Barbara and Becky’s advocacy and support, has been instrumental in Tikkun Farm’s growth and success. 🌟

Through Tikkun Farm’s job training program, participants gain essential skills in carpentry, electrical, agriculture, and culinary arts, alongside valuable life skills like accountability and respect. Greg’s experience at P&G has played a pivotal role in shaping Tikkun Farm’s vision and approach, highlighting the importance of strong leadership and management skills.

In 2023-2024, Tikkun Farm will expand its training program, combining trauma-informed care experiences with technical skills training in Environmental Care, Building Trades, and Culinary Arts. Participants receive hands-on training addressing stressors and improving their chances of success.

With the most recent PGAF grant we are proud to support Tikkun Farm to expand the training program from 50 to 90 participants in 2024. Funds will support salaries, equipment, farming tools, seeds, starter plants, and certification costs, ensuring the program’s success and impact.

Though born from tragedy, Tikkun Farm’s job training program is a beacon of hope, honoring the memory of individuals like Monie by providing opportunities for transformation and empowerment. Monie, a young man who found solace and support at Tikkun Farm after facing homelessness and challenges in his home environment, tragically lost his life to gun violence. His story motivates Tikkun Farm to continue their vital work, ensuring that others like Monie have access to support, skills, and hope for a brighter future. Together, we can create a brighter future for all.

Ben Chapman – Cooperative for Education Grant Champion

Cooperative for Education grant champion, Ben Chapman, explains why he championed a grant: “CoEd has had tremendous success over the past 25 years in accomplishing its mission by focusing on breaking the cycle of poverty in Guatemala through education. These are children who often are the only ones in the history of their families who have graduated from high school or even the 6th grade, changing the trajectory for their entire family.”

The $20,000 grant from the P&G Alumni Foundation has helped people like Diego. Rarely do you see someone get the opportunity to return home and give back to the community that raised them, but Diego, at age 28, is doing just that! During his studies at Hacienda María, Diego took advantage of the textbooks and computers provided by Cooperative for Education (CoEd). Today, Diego teaches technology classes in the same Computer Center where he once studied!

Steve Baggott – Breakthrough Cincinnati Grant Champion

Steve Baggott utilizes his 32 years of P&G expertise to support Breakthrough Cincinnati, an agency that energizes underrepresented aspirational students to enter college with confidence. BTC is dedicated to addressing the academic gap experienced by underrepresented local students that, when coupled with the system’s educational inequities, can limit their opportunities for college and prosperity. BTC is transforming the community to advance education, equity, and economic mobility.

The $15,000 Alumni Foundation grant has helped people like Bijin: “Breakthrough is such a positive bubble. It’s such a positive environment where everyone has a growth mindset and the belief that we can be better. I still feel the impact of Breakthrough every day when I’m here at college.” 

Jim Louwsma – Partners Worldwide Grant Champion
Jim Louwsma leverages his 2+ decades of time in P&G Sales at Partners Worldwide. He is grateful for the opportunity to work with PW as it works to link small-scale, marginalized farmers to viable markets that can lift them and their families out of poverty: “It is one of the few partner organizations in the country equipping these farmers with the skills, resources, and access to local and regional markets—including major regional supermarket chains—for lasting generational emergence out of poverty.”

The $20,000 Alumni Foundation grant to Partners WW has helped people like Grace.  “I am grateful to Partners Worldwide and Africa Works for introducing me to beekeeping, as this has resulted in my orchard fruit trees increasing yield, quality, income, and pollination”.  Grace has been able to use the additional proceeds from the honey to buy food and clothes and pay school fees. 

Visit our website to learn more about how these grants are changing lives!

Mary, a Social Media Ambassador from the US, expressed how working with an amazing team and reconnecting with fellow P&G Alumni has brought the Foundation’s mission to life for her.

Akihiro, living in Australia, joined as an Ambassador to support the Foundation’s work on children’s education.

Ayman, who lives in Qatar, had a desire to be part of a worthy cause and make a positive difference in the world. Becoming an Ambassador feels like a great fit!

Through the active involvement of Ambassadors, the Foundation has grown significantly in awareness, reach, and partnerships. Dedicated Ambassadors generated above-industry benchmarks for follower growth and engagement on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

As the P&G Alumni Foundation continues to grow, we extend profound GRATITUDE to each Ambassador for their unwavering dedication and commitment. Their collective efforts not only empower dreams but also leave a lasting legacy of positive change across the globe. P&G Alumni Foundation Ambassadors stand together, making a tremendous difference in the lives they touch.

The next evening, Alumni joined together with a focus on helping those in need. The event featured special remarks by Paulo Romeiro, President of P&G Alumni Portugal, Hugo Figueiredo, past P&G Alum Portugal President, Deb Kielty, Chair of the P&G Alumni Foundation. Facilitating the evening’s activities from Alum Pedro Pina.

One of the highlights of the event was a discussion by retired P&G Alum Mohan C. Mohan. He’s a key driver in the establishment of the Foundation and a beloved leader in the development of P&G Portugal’s business. Over 120 P&G Portugal Alums raised money for both a local Portugal charity, Coracoes com Coroa, and for the Foundation’s work to support the work of organizations sponsored by P&G alum grant champions throughout the world.

Mohan shared his philosophy of “Love All, Hate None” his belief and inspiration from his new book Reflections at 80. As Alum Samir Hawwa noted in Reflections,” Mohan’s deep sense of being an enormously privileged person leads to his burning commitment to giving back to society and to serving humanity.” Proceeds from the sale of his book will be donated to help fund grants and futures.

About the P&G Alumni Foundation:
The P&G Alumni Foundation, the charitable arm of the P&G Alumni Network, has a mission of creating opportunities for those less fortunate—a mission grounded in the shared values that unite us as Alumni. Through strategic grant-making, the Foundation improves the quality of life around the world by economically empowering individuals in need to achieve greater financial independence and economic well-being for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Bringing its mission to life, the Foundation invests in programs and projects that contribute toward real and sustainable employment. What makes us unique is that a P&G Alumni sponsor must be actively and meaningfully involved with the charitable organization making a grant request. Learn more or donate by visiting: pgalumnifoundation.org.

Grant requests undergo a strategic and thorough review against their ability to deliver measurable results and strong impact. Uniquely, grants are also evaluated against the involvement and significant contributions of the P&G Alum(s) championing the grant. Our Grants Committee will review all applications and notify you of our decisions. Average individual grant awards are expected in the $10,000 – $25,000 range.

• Review Eligibility Requirements, Vetting Procedures & Submission Details
• Learn more about our 2022 Grant Recipients
• For general application or content questions contact: Sue Wilke, suewilke44@gmail.com
• For system or technology questions contact: Patrick Hartnett, hartnettpm@hotmail.com

About the P&G Alumni Foundation:
The P&G Alumni Foundation, the charitable arm of the P&G Alumni Network, has a mission of creating opportunities for those less fortunate—a mission grounded in the shared values that unite us as Alumni. Through strategic grant-making, the Foundation improves the quality of life around the world by economically empowering individuals in need to achieve greater financial independence and economic well-being for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Bringing its mission to life, the Foundation invests in programs and projects that contribute toward real and sustainable employment. What makes us unique is that a P&G Alumni sponsor must be actively and meaningfully involved with the charitable organization making a grant request. Learn more or donate by visiting: pgalumnifoundation.org.

From business training, micro-loans, access to higher education, computer skills, beekeeping, and improved farming methods, our grants provide funding to train and provide employment opportunities to thousands. Through the efforts of the grantees, our funds will provide jobs and employment for over 1,700, job-related skills training for almost 2,000 people, and create more than 800 new business ventures impacting some 12,000 family and community members.

To learn about the grant recipients and their projects please click on the pictures below. The links will take you to the P&G Alumni Foundation website with individual profiles for each grant recipient.

Our impact continues to expand and the stories of those who have benefited are inspiring. Thanks to you, the P&G Alumni Foundation has given 112 grants totaling $1.78 million, spanning 40+ countries on five continents. More importantly, we have helped hundreds of thousands of individuals around the world create a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities.

With a committed global board of 15 talented leaders, 185+ Ambassadors, 120 grant champions, close to 400 donors, and thousands of talented alums around the world, we are able to do even more! Thank you for your continued support.