I joined the company on the Bounce brand, can you believe how young I look in that photo!? Among many important lessons, two have really stuck with me. First, you can study anything and come from any background. The success factor is how you think, and how you approach problems and people.

I had a finance/science background, and I remember at least one other teammate came from a very different background, too – Susan had previously played in a philharmonic orchestra! Yet, our team brought our different backgrounds and ways of thinking together, and had a blast working together.

Sometimes, a group of expats went out together to experience the culture and prepare for local events. In this photo, a group of us went to a local seafood place to practice eating water cockroaches, so we could do it with nonchalant ease while dining with our local teams. I met other lifelong friends who mean so much to me, throughout my career at P&G, too. Vivienne became my mentor at work… later, my personal life mentor… she’s now my daughter’s godmother. I love her and her family dearly. Gina was my agency partner, who became a close friend. With her, I learned the power of positive debate. We didn’t always agree, and with two passionate personalities, engaged in (and role-modeled) healthy debate. Neither of us was afraid to share our point of view, but we also listened to the opposing view with respect. And always ended up at a place we felt was best for the business, even while deepening our relationship and strengthening the bonds of trust between us. How grateful I am for these incredible women in my life!