After 36 years of building from within, an IIM-Lucknow grad just stepped into one of the biggest CEO chairs in the world.
Shailesh Jejurikar, a Mumbai native and IIM Lucknow alumnus, will take over as the Global CEO of Procter & Gamble (P&G) starting January 1, 2026 making him the first Indian-born leader to helm the $400B consumer goods giant in its 187-year history.
Jejurikar joined P&G in 1989 as an assistant brand manager in India. Over the next three decades, he held key roles across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2021 a position P&G hadn’t filled in years.
In his current role, he leads P&G’s largest categories and oversees global operations in supply chain, IT, and business services. He’s credited with driving operational excellence, market expansion, and consistent growth in turbulent post-pandemic markets.
His promotion comes as current CEO Jon Moeller transitions to Executive Chairman.
- But beyond corporate headlines, Jejurikar’s rise offers something deeper:
- Proof that quiet operators can lead iconic brands,
- That Indian-origin leaders are reshaping global boardrooms,
- And that long-term execution still beats short-term flash.
For every founder, Jejurikar’s story is a reminder:
You don’t have to launch the next unicorn to lead a global legacy
Sometimes, the most powerful journeys are built from the inside out.
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