CINCINNATI -- Melanie Healey, the leader of Procter & Gamble's (P&G) North America business, is leaving the company next year, according to an internal memo released to employees on Wednesday and published by The Wall Street Journal.
Healey, No. 18 on Fortune magazine's Most Powerful Women list, was once considered a likely successor to CEO A.G. Lafley, added a Fortune report. The Brazilian-born exec runs P&G's largest division, the $32.1 billion North America unit. Although her division has been struggling recently, it has shown signs of "tepid" growth, said the report.
"Our more streamlined and focused P&G is taking shape," said Lafley in the memo. "In September, we announced several senior management changes; today, we're announcing a second set. We're putting the right leadership structure in place for the new P&G."
Healey, group president of North America selling and market operations, will retire June 30, 2015, after 25 years of service.
"She began her P&G career in Brazil, after roles with SC Johnson and J&J. At P&G, she quickly distinguished herself in Latin America and North America and global feminine and heath care businesses before leading North America, the company's largest [selling and marketing operation]. She has been a caring, committed and compassionate leader of the business who is also a tireless champion of diversity and inclusion."
Other changes:
- Filippo Passerini, group president for global business services and chief information officer, will retire June 30, 2015, after more than 33 years of service.
- Jorge Uribe, global productivity and organization transformation officer, will retire June 30, 2015, after more than 33 years of service.
- Joanne Crewes, president of global prestige, will retire Dec. 31, 2014, after 27 years of service. Joanne has spent nearly her entire career dedicated to P&G's beauty business.
- Adil Mehboob-Khan, president for global salon professional, is leaving the company to pursue other interests, effective Dec. 31, 2014.
- Carolyn Tastad, global customer business development officer, has been named group president North America selling and market operations, effective Jan. 1, 2015.
- Jeff Schomburger, president for the global Walmart team, has been named global sales officer for our customer business development function, effective Jan. 1, 2015.
- Patrice Louvet, group president of global grooming, has been named group president of global cosmetics, prestige and salon professional, effective Jan. 1, 2015.
- Charlie Pierce, group president of global oral care and new business creation and innovation, has been named group president of global grooming, effective Jan. 1, 2015.
- Steve Bishop, group president of global feminine and family care, has been named group president of global oral care, effective Dec. 1, 2014.
- Julio Nemeth, senior vice president of product supply, global operations, has been elected president of global business services, effective Jan. 1, 2015.
- Linda Clement-Holmes, global information and decision solutions officer, has been named chief information officer, assuming additional responsibilities currently held by Filippo Passerini.
"These changes simplify the way we organize and manage the company," said Lafley. "We have fewer business presidents and a flatter structure. We've consolidated functions to better support the businesses. As a result, we will have the same or fewer presidents and function leaders as we had in 2001 when sales were $39 billion--less than half our sales today."
Cincinnati-based P&G's brands include Always, Ambi Pur, Ariel, Bounty, Charmin, Crest, Dawn, Downy, Duracell, Fairy, Febreze, Gain, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Lenor, Olay, Oral-B, Pampers, Pantene, SK-II, Tide, Vicks, Wella and Whisper.
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