Our Team Challenges Assumptions and Explores Possibilities

In the past decade, Gerard has led multiple business units at P&G (Fabric Care, Oral Care, Home Care) and has represented P&G on several external boards. A futurist at heart, he has guided developments and investments in technologies such as machine learning and advanced, sustainable molecules and products—challenging his teams to raise the bar across all scientific practices.

WHAT INNOVATION AT P&G MEANS TO GERARD:
“Real innovation happens when you fall in love with the problem—not the solution. Our team has the depth and breadth of experience to do this on every project. We bring together experts who can think beyond a single solution by focusing on the bigger picture.”

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Received the prestigious Henry F. Whalen, Jr. Award of Excellence from the American Chemical Society

• Accepted leadership position, driving the success of multiple R&D capabilities including Biosciences, Hygiene, Analytical & Measurement Sciences and Data & Modeling Sciences

• Embraced board member positions for several non-profit and professional associations, including the Chemical Sciences and Technology Board within the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine

Dave’s career at P&G spans over 20 years and includes experience across health care categories, addressing a variety of focus areas (gastrointestinal, respiratory, neuropathy, pain, immunosuppression, musculoskeletal, and vitamins, minerals, and supplements). His familiarity with global regulatory health agencies and his knowledge of the key pathways for product development and substantiation have paved the way for new innovations across the company.

WHAT INNOVATION AT P&G MEANS TO DAVE:
“The consistent pursuit of deep consumer understanding informs the biggest challenges, so we can develop new and meaningful solutions, improving the lives of consumers around the world. For example, just a few years ago, consumers had no over-the-counter options for their nerve pain, and today, our nerve care team is working to bring solutions to consumers around the world, working across multiple regulatory classifications.”

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Received New Product IRI 2019 Pacesetter Award for DayQuil and Nyquil VapoCool.

• Brought the technology of Neurobion, the world’s leader in nerve care with over 50 years of expertise and experience to the US with Nervive. These leading nerve care brands support nerve health and provide a solution for occasional discomfort, aches and weakness associated with aging.

• Supported the launch of Align in the United States: it is now the #1 Doctor and Gastroenterologist recommended probiotic brand.

Lee Ellen has been an integral part of P&G for more than 2 decades, guiding disruptive, high-value products through every stage of the product lifecycle. With a PhD in Materials Science Engineering, Lee Ellen is a champion of industrializing technologies that can improve sustainability outcomes. Always focused on the future, Lee Ellen mentors young professionals, showing them how to think differently, question everything, and be persistent.

WHAT INNOVATION AT P&G MEANS TO LEE ELLEN:
“Innovators approach problem solving from multiple angles, and in doing so, uncover deeper insights. An effective product solves a known problem; an innovative product goes further to create a surprising solution that becomes indispensable by offering a transformative experience not previously considered possible.”

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Championed global recycling initiatives, including efforts to enable chemical recycling of certain plastics, shaping the future of polymers

• Advocated for accelerating collaborations with academia and startups, enabling the Connect + Develop approach to innovation at P&G

• Provided leadership and strategic support during the development of EC30, a water-free cleanser

Mike has held many positions in his 31+ year career at P&G and has spent time working in both the Cincinnati, Ohio, and Brussels, Belgium, innovation centers. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Global Oral Care, R&D, leading an organization located across 4 continents. Mike prides himself in his active engagement on P&G’s Diversity and Capability programs, working to ensure all employees feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work each day.

WHAT INNOVATION AT P&G MEANS TO MIKE:
“Innovation is the integration of an unmet consumer need with a product that delivers on the functional essentials required, with an irresistibly superior experience. It must deliver P&G value, customer value, shareholder value and, most importantly, consumer value.”

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Developed Tide dosing tools to ensure laundry-use instructions, cleaning action, and product ingredients all work together to provide an outstanding clean, every time.

• Helped open the first-ever Tide Dry Cleaners, including the building of the first location in Kansas City, Kansas.

• Contributed to the development of a new Crest Gum Detoxify formula, leveraging our deep technical understanding around how bacteria cause gum inflammation and bleeding.

As a passionate, consumer-focused leader with 25+ years of experience, Rosa creates a positive impact across the P&G businesses—and throughout the world. She leverages her multi-faceted skills, transformational thinking, and agility to make a difference across all her projects. Leading with both her head and heart, Rosa is passionate about diversity and inclusion—supporting P&G’s DE+I initiatives both in the United States and globally.

WHAT INNOVATION AT P&G MEANS TO ROSA:
“When our teams connect consumer needs and market insights with technology solutions, they create transformational experiences that improve consumers’ lives and increase value for P&G.”

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Led the creation and launch of several Feminine Care innovations, including Always Ultra with Leakguard core and Always Infinity, pioneering the use of a “colored absorbency signal” as a new standard for the category

• Expanded Downy Unstoppables scents to better delight consumers around the world and developed new technology for Downy Wrinkle Guard

• Widened the appeal and reach of Tide with the launch of Tide Simply

Through his 30 years with P&G, Mike’s innovations have spanned from consumer products to supply chain projects. Equipped with disruptive ideas, he leads new product innovation across multiple brands in both emerging markets and P&G’s largest developed markets. Mike’s approach brings together a breadth of innovators with unique capabilities that reframe tough consumer challenges. 

WHAT INNOVATION AT P&G MEANS TO MIKE:
“We strive to solve unmet needs, unlocking value for both our consumers and P&G. When we’re able to accomplish this, our scale and capabilities can positively impact millions of people.”

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Led the creation and launch of Downy's scent beads in North America, Japan, and Western Europe

• Launched new fabric care products in multiple emerging markets

• Launched and grew P&G’s first insecticide brand, Zevo, as the R&D leader for P&G Ventures, where new categories are created

With decades of R&D experience, Chandrika Kasturi has a proven track record of leading market-winning global innovations across multiple consumer goods categories in Procter & Gamble. Chandrika is committed to growing and developing people through the creation of an inclusive culture that is underpinned by diversity of thought, agility in learning, and creation of capable, highly motivated teams.

WHAT INNOVATION AT P&G MEANS TO CHANDRIKA:
“Innovation begins with truly understanding consumers and their needs, and then developing new products that address them–creating value for all stakeholders.”

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Authored over 40 patents in her innovation career journey

• Developed multiple new product innovations across different categories which were selected as IRI pace setters, including Febreze Noticables and Always Discreet, which were both selected as IRI PaceSetters

Patrick has advanced degrees in bioscience, engineering, and chemistry. For over 30 years, Patrick has supported P&G Global Product Stewardship efforts, where he built and supported core competencies in toxicology, environmental science, and sustainability. P&G's research and publications in these areas have been industry leading and have enabled innovation. These results have also been used to advance chemical management and risk assessment approaches that are used by regulators globally. Patrick is currently a Board Member of the European Center for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals.

WHAT INNOVATION AT P&G MEANS TO PATRICK:
“With over 5 billion people using P&G products every day, innovation means superior products and packaging that are safe, regulatory compliant, and deliver against P&G's sustainability vision. In our environmental research and toxicology work, we lead with science and leverage our scientific knowledge to influence better outcomes for our consumers, P&G, and for the planet.”

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Supported extensive work on alternative safety testing methods

• Spoke at the European Commission in 2020 on the future of safety testing and the importance of innovation, collaboration, and partnerships

• Contributed to the body of scientific evidence that supports using lower laundry wash temperatures to conserve energy

Jerry is a strategic innovation leader, who prides himself in seeing opportunity in every difficulty, as proven across his 35+ year career. Supported by an extremely talented and diverse organization, Jerry leads innovation within Fabric Care, the P&G’s largest category, and is responsible for the innovation strategy for both the Fabric & Home Care as well as our Flavors & Fragrances capability.

WHAT INNOVATION AT P&G MEANS TO JERRY:
“Innovation is what makes the impossible possible. It enables us to go above and beyond, improving upon the entire consumer experience: developing sustainable and irresistibly superior products and packaging, all while creating value and growing the category.”

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Led the development of Tide Coldwater Clean, a new laundry technology that gives clothes a superior clean in cold water, enabling users to reduce their environmental footprint and save energy

• Championed sustainable packaging solutions, including piloting towards a fully recyclable paper-based bottle

Throughout his 30+ years at P&G, Scott has led R&D innovation programs across a broad range of product categories, including Fabric Care, Beauty Care, and Home Care brands that deliver superior products to improve consumers lives around the world. Scott is known for delivering breakthrough insights and product solutions to some of the toughest innovation challenges.

WHAT INNOVATION AT P&G MEANS TO RODRIGUE:
“Innovation is not simply about improving a current product or creating a new one. It’s about broadening your view to more deeply understand consumers – their wants, needs, pain points, and more. This deeper understanding allows us to create solutions that solve a problem for consumers, whether they are aware of the problem or not.”

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Led the launch of Tide with Bleach Alternative, the unsurpassed cleaning product of its time, leading to significant business growth for Tide

• Served as the site leader for the Newcastle Innovation Center and led a Connect + Develop initiative with local business and university partners to develop superior cleaning solutions that are sustainable

• Directed the development of Tide and Ariel for entry into China, setting the foundation for category success

Julie is charged with bringing together foundational digital work and connected experiences to constructively disrupt how P&G innovates and delights consumers.

WHAT INNOVATION AT P&G MEANS TO JULIE:
“Innovation creates sustainable competitive advantage by creating superior and ownable solutions to consumers’ problems. Digital innovation is transforming every aspect of our work in R&D—accelerating the speed of learning and generating new insights.”

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Contributed to the early development of Zevo, a safe and effective insect control – as Senior Vice President of R&D for that organization

• Chosen to lead the Products Research community at P&G to ensure we have the tools and best practices to asses and design product and package superiority.

• Developed innovation capability in P&G which enabled the creation of a portfolio of more than 100 start-up products

• Has international experience working for P&G in Latin America, Europe, Asia and North America

Over his 30+ year career at P&G, Mark has led numerous innovation programs and capabilities in Fabric & Home Care. Spanning many regions and product categories, Mark has worked in 4 innovation centers (Cincinnati, Brussels, Newcastle, Beijing), including almost 2 decades at the Beijing Innovation Center. He currently leads end-to-end strategy development and capability for the Greater China R&D team and also oversees the Asia Innovation Centers in Singapore and Kobe. Mark is passionate about people development, nurturing a culture of innovation driven by a growth mindset and psychological safety which create breakthrough innovation and personal growth. 

WHAT INNOVATION AT P&G MEANS TO MARK:
“Innovation is breaking paradigms—transforming raw materials into irresistibly superior products that solve the needs of our communities. It is the result of master craftsmanship, continual iteration, strong multifunctional partnerships, and a deep understanding of our consumers.”

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Created novel liquid technology for global Tide and Ariel liquid products, enabling suspension of perfume capsules

• Led the expansion and development of the P&G Beijing Innovation Center, one of the largest P&G end-to-end innovation centers outside North America

• Spearheaded the development of multiple P&G global product platforms and capability organizations

• Designed new to world production processes for Tide and Ariel powder detergents

• Developed novel unit dose forms for P&G laundry products

Andy has dedicated more than 25 years to P&G Beauty R&D and the Beauty category. He now leads the Global Hair Care R&D organization and continuously brings more meaningful, more effective, and more responsible hair and scalp care products to people around the world. Andy has expanded the footprint of P&G’s Hair Innovation Centers so that the team of scientists can be closer to the consumers they serve —because living the daily life helps us identify new opportunities to delight.

WHAT INNOVATION AT P&G MEANS TO ANDY:
“Innovation that makes an impact comes from the 5 Cs—insatiable curiosity, to understand consumer tensions, challenge constraints, define creative solutions, and deliver them via multifunctional collaborations.”

INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Created concentrated solid conditioners (Pro melting pearls) that are now in Pantene hair repairing treatments available in China, Japan, and across Latin America. They are also the basis for a new technology that significantly reduces our water consumption footprint.

• Discovered how to create facial moisturizers (Olay Whips) that were light and quick absorbing without compromising the enduring benefit

• Introduced a Liquid Crystal technology in Pantene’s Color Expressions products that boosted the effectiveness of conditioners for color-treated hair, publishing the research in a peer-reviewed journal