Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast

“Gratitude is contagious. It's something that becomes more powerful as you express it. It reminds me of how fortunate I've been — and through that privilege I feel I owe to do what I can for others.”John Pepper, P&G’s former Chairman and CEO, needs no introduction. John has played many roles in business, community, service, and the lives of countless people. He returns to our podcast to discuss his new book, "100 Books That Shaped My Life: Reflections on a Lifetime of Reading, " which might just be the perfect gift this holiday season, for yourself or for anyone in your life who loves a good read."100 Books That Shaped My Life" is no mere book list — it is a life story told through the books that walked alongside John: as a husband, father, leader, citizen, and as someone thinking deeply about what matters most in the time we’re given. These are the books that shaped John’s understanding of history, democracy, gratitude, and hope — especially in the most recent chapters of his life.Moving from Values, to Biographies, Philosophy, U.S. and Global History, Memoirs, Novels, and Personal Essays, 100 Books That Shaped My Life mirrors something true about John himself: a leader shaped not by one discipline, but by a lifelong curiosity across every discipline. In our conversation, John reflects on how a lifetime of reading helped him better live a lifetime — deepening his understanding of friendship, love, loss, courage, service, and the quiet beauty of everyday life.John’s literary influences range from novelists like John Steinbeck, Oliver Sacks, Wallace Stegner, Marilynne Robinson, George Orwell, and Tolstoy, to memoirists such as Frederick Douglass, Katharine Graham, James Reston, and Michelle Obama, to historians and biographers including David Blight, Jon Meacham, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jill Lepore, and so many others. Woven through all of it is a deeply human narrative — his love for his late wife, Francie; his reflections on aging, family, and purpose; the leaders who shaped him; the lessons hard-won; and the quiet moments that stayed with him.As Bob Iger put it, “Whether you’re an executive or simply someone who loves reading and learning, you will find great value and wisdom in this book.” And we couldn’t agree more. For anyone who enjoys learning from lived experience, this conversation — and this book — make a wonderful companion. It might even inspire you to reflect on everything you’ve read and learned along the way. Be sure to check out John Pepper’s "100 Books That Shaped My Life" wherever you get your favorite books.bookshop.org/p/books/100-books-that-shaped-my-life-reflections-on-a-lifetime-of-reading/23a8c953e3dfd1e5amazon.com/gp/product/B0FXQPHQPK

“Everyone older than me was optimizing careers for comfort — I think we need to be uncomfortable. I think we need to push the boundaries.”Vineet Mehra is CMO of Chime - the fastest-growing and most-loved consumer banking service in the U.S. - where he leverages data-driven and cultural marketing strategies to drive growth and challenge industry norms. Vineet is a global marketing leader, Board Director, and advisor recognized for building disruptive, category-defining brands. Previously, Vineet served as Global Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance, where he led the $100B company through its COVID-19 transformation, and as Chief Growth Officer at Ancestry, launching AncestryDNA to redefine consumer genomics. Before that, Vineet served in many rising leadership roles across CPG. At Johnson & Johnson, Vineet was Global President of Baby Care and Global President of Marketing, overseeing a multibillion-dollar portfolio and modernizing worldwide marketing capabilities. Vineet held early leadership roles at Novartis Consumer Health across Europe, the U.S., and Canada, as well as brand-building assignments at General Mills. Procter & Gamble was Vineet’s career start — first in Canada in Beauty Sales & Marketing, and later as a regional Beauty Care Brand Manager in Asia - shaping his reputation as one of the industry’s most globally experienced marketers. Named among Forbes’ 50 Most Influential CMOs, Vineet is committed to advancing the marketing industry — currently serving as an advisor to Spotify, MMA Global, Ridge Ventures, OfferFit by Braze, AI Trailblazers, and Virtuosi LEAP. Previously, Vineet held senior advisory and board roles at WPP, Apollo Global Management, AdTheorent, Adweek, Knotch, and Effie Worldwide — where he served as Chairman of the Board. An avid traveler, Vineet has visited over 80 countries and cherishes creating memories with his family.This episode is hosted by P&G Alum Sudha Ranganathan, who’s spent over 19 years in diverse Marketing leadership roles at companies like P&G, PayPal, and LinkedIn where she’s honed her passion for customer-centric marketing and talent development.

“ Innovation is about putting together creativity and mastery. Mastery is driven by education, knowledge, and insights. Creativity is driven by values and diversity. When we put those together, we create a powerful, innovative company.”Victor Aguilar is P&G’s Chief Research, Development & Innovation Officer. Victor leads P&G’s R&D organization, the company’s global innovation program and strategy, which includes its nearly $2 billion annual investment in R&D and end-to-end packaging transformation. Victor brings over three decades of P&G experience spanning three continents - from Latin America, Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, and North America - across multiple categories including Fabric and Baby Care, Future Works and Corporate R&D. Victor has led innovation that has accelerated growth through a commitment to superiority, agility and consumer-inspired solutions. Victor studied Chemical Engineering in Mexico at Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, started at P&G in 1989, and later received his MBA from the Warwick Business School in the UK. From his earliest days as a young entrepreneur, DJ, and soon R&D leader in Mexico, to his time leading an international, multi-billion-dollar organization. Victor operates with a growth mindset, is a fast learner, and a big fan of podcasts - being an early supporter and internal advocate for this Learnings from Leaders Podcast, and also a champion of P&G’s internal More Than Soap podcast - which we’ve featured from time to time here. You’ll enjoy hearing about Victor’s emphasis on his own and others’ careers - on the value of curiosity, as it relates to not just learning and mastery, but also innovation. 

“We are always waiting for someone to define the direction, versus saying ‘What am I going to do?’ — I've never asked what my work plan is — if there are no user manuals, how would you live your life? Sandeep Seth is Chief Growth Officer and President of Tapestry International—the parent company of Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman. Before Tapestry, Sandeep spent over two decades at Procter & Gamble, where he rose through local, regional, and global marketing leadership roles across India and Singapore—eventually becoming Global CEO of SK-II, P&G’s prestige skincare brand. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about the lessons behind Sandeep’s remarkable journey—from being placed on a performance plan early in his career to leading some of the world’s most iconic luxury and beauty brands. His turning point? Realizing that having a strong point of view—and voicing it—is just as critical as delivering great work. You’ll hear about how marketing leaders blend logic and magic, why emotional resonance is the real currency of brand-building, and how true business acumen comes from connecting the dots across an organization rather than chasing every new tool. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (MBA) and Jadavpur University, Kolkata (Civil Engineering), Sandeep brings a rare mix of analytical rigor, creative instinct, and humility to his leadership philosophy. If you’re thinking about stepping into a bigger role—or simply want to become a more intentional marketing leader—this episode is packed with sharp, grounded insights from someone who’s lived it.This episode is hosted by P&G Alum Sudha Ranganathan, who’s spent over 19 years in diverse Marketing leadership roles at companies like P&G, PayPal, and LinkedIn where she’s honed her passion for customer-centric marketing and talent development.

“Leadership is much more about empowerment and clearing the decks so people can do what they know how to do — delegate, empower, and trust in order to deliver.”David Taylor is P&G’s former Chairman and CEO. He recently joined the stage at the 2025 P&G Alumni Global Conference in Berlin, alongside Daniel Dippold, Founder and CEO of EWOR - a fast-growing tech startup ecosystem - and fellow P&G Alum Stefan Homeister from the Leitwolf podcast. The topic was “Former P&G CEO meets Tech Entrepreneur – Redefining Leadership in Times of Uncertainty” — Stefan led David and Daniel through a great conversation about leadership across generations — from leading 100,000 people through transformation, to building exponential-growth ventures from the ground up.Missed the 2025 P&G Alumni Global Conference in Berlin? Check out all 50 sessions — keynotes, panels, and workshops — on-demand at PGAlums.com, where you can purchase your your All-Access Pass and catch insights from leaders, innovators, and changemakers from around the world. And for future inspirational conversations on leadership, check out P&G Alum Stefan Homeister’s top podcast “LEITWOLF” wherever you get your favorite podcasts.