From Gillette to Jamba Juice: How to Lead Iconic Brands with Empathy, Purpose & Integrity

Love Jamba Juice? You can thank our guest James D. White who, as the brand’s former chair, president and CEO, helped transform a small smoothie shop into a global lifestyle brand in just three years. With an impressive resume working at some of the world’s most well-known brands—Gillette, Safeway, Coca-Cola, Nestle, and 17 boards including The Honest Company—we talk about how to lead iconic, global brands with a values-based, people-first strategy.   James’ recent book,Anti-Racist Leadership: How to Transform Culture in a Race-Conscious World, which he co-authored with his daughter Krista, focuses on anti-racist leadership and DE&I from both a C-suite and Board perspective as well as a millennial one. It’s an episode about equity, empathy, lifelong learning, and taking action for social change, with valuable takeaways for leaders at all levels.   To hear more about purpose-driven leadership and diversity, equity and inclusion, check out these Redefiners episodes:  From Harvard to Hollywood: A Conversation with Debra Martin Chase  From Corruption to Transformation: The Rebirth of a Global Conglomerate with Joe Kaeser  Leadership Lessons from the Field with Troy Vincent   BIO: James D. White is the former chair, CEO, and president of Jamba Juice; a Board Director, and author of Anti-Racist Leadership: How to Transform Culture in a Race-Conscious World.   James has more than 30-years-experience revitalizing some of the world’s leading brands. In talks, he shares personal insights on how to build strong bridges between the boardroom and the shop floor and why investing in your workforce is key. A passionate champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, he takes audiences on his journey as a Black executive who “never had one promotion based on potential”— beginning with learning the ins and outs of effective leadership at Coca-Cola before moving into executive roles at Safeway, Gillette, and Nestle-Purina Petcare, and then taking on his most ambitious challenge: refreshing Jamba Juice from smoothie shop into global lifestyle brand in just three years.    James draws from his time spearheading successful turnarounds and growth at top companies to provide real-life examples of how effective leaders overcome challenges, engage their employees, and instill a sense of purpose and belonging in their people to create winning cultures. 

Om Podcasten

Call them changemakers. Call them rule breakers. We call them Redefiners. And in this provocative podcast, we explore how daring leaders from across industries and around the globe are redefining their organizations—and themselves—to create extraordinary impact in today’s rapidly changing world.In each episode, Russell Reynolds Associates Leadership Advisor Hoda Tahoun and former CEO Clarke Murphy host engaging, purposeful conversations with leaders in and out of the business world who share their insights and perspectives on how they lead, boldly. You’ll come away with fresh ideas and tangible takeaways on how you can redefine your own leadership trajectory – no matter where you are on your journey.   Our Hosts:Clarke Murphy Clarke Murphy is the former Chief Executive Officer of Russell Reynolds Associates and serves on the Board of Directors. Prior to his appointment as CEO, he was the Global Leader of the firm's CEO/Board Services Practice.​While at Russell Reynolds Associate​s, Clarke has conducted a number of significant projects in the industry, including Fortune 100 board searches and CEO successions. In addition, he has led notable searches in​​ the private equity industry including searches ​for the Carlyle Group and Warburg Pincus.Hoda TahounAs a leadership advisor and leader of the global Leisure & Hospitality Practice at RRA, Hoda Tahoun identifies, assesses, and develops dynamic C-suite leaders for global hospitality, travel, and leisure companies. Based in Miami, Hoda helps clients solve their most pressing leadership issues at the CEO, C-suite, and other executive-levels. She also advises clients on customer-centric, go-to-market leadership roles such as chief marketing officers and chief experience officers. Hoda is committed to reshaping the hospitality and leisure landscape to ensure it is an industry that leads with purpose, value, and wellbeing and continues to attract and retain talent across all facets of diversity.Hoda spent more than seven years working for a boutique executive search firm, rising to the title of principal where she worked closely with hotel management companies, cruise lines and private equity firms. Previously, Hoda was an assistant vice president at SHUAA Capital in Dubai where she led the firm’s investment banking efforts. She has also worked at American Express, Bank of America and Citi.