Interview with Monica Turner, President of North American Sales at Procter & Gamble
Monica Turner, a 30-year veteran at Procter & Gamble (P&G), currently holds the position of President for Sales in North America. Her journey with the company began as an intern in 1987, and since then, she has made a significant impact, rising through the ranks to her current role.
Initially hailing from Dallas, Turner's career path took an unexpected turn when she was encouraged to broaden her experiences, leading to her first move outside of Texas to San Antonio. In San Antonio, Turner became the first young Black female to manage anyone in the market, overseeing a full unit of people who were 10 years her senior.
Turner's move to San Antonio proved to be a pivotal moment in her career. She was mentored by Jim Beard, considered the best manager in San Antonio, who taught her about great leadership, the importance of understanding and valuing her team, setting common goals, and reducing the "social distance" gap to create real relationships.
Visible diversity was important to Turner, and she felt a sense of belonging when she attended a company event and saw others who looked like her. However, initially, she did not see anyone who looked like her at P&G, but she trusted the values of the company and believed she would have the opportunity to advance.
Turner's biggest career win is not a single accomplishment, but her dedication to mentoring, developing, and advancing talented people throughout her career. She views her role as a mentor and sponsor as an honor, aiming to lift up those she mentors and sponsors just as others have lifted her up.
Turner's team's success is a testament to her leadership style. They made sure to respect her boundaries, enabling them to take breakthrough actions that made them the best in the district.
For those interested in learning more about the state of women working in retail, Turner directs readers to visit "The State of Women Working in Retail" and purchase a ticket to the Shoptalk Meetup for Women.
Turner stands on the shoulders of many who helped her become the President of P&G, and she sees her current role as her life's purpose, mentoring and sponsoring young women at P&G, following in the footsteps of those who helped her advance in her career.
- Monica Turner, a champion of diversity, acknowledges the lack of visible Black women in P&G during her early years but believed in the company's values and envisioned a future of growth.
- Turner's passion for leadership extends beyond her role at P&G, as she champions personal growth and career development for women in fashion-and-beauty, lifestyle, education-and-self-development, and other industries.
- Turner's journey in the world of work spans various sectors, including travel, food-and-drink, cars, home-and-garden, and relationships, where she honed her skills and made a lasting impact.
- Turner's influence extends to pets too, as she emphasizes the importance of balanced work and pet care for a harmonious lifestyle.
- Turner advocates for responsible shopping practices and supports businesses that prioritize sustainable and ethical fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and other products.
- Turner's contributions to P&G have not gone unnoticed as she was recognized for her achievements in career development and her dedication to fostering relationships.
- Turner plans to pave the way for future generations of ambitious young women by sharing her experiences and insights on travel forums, workshops, and shopping events, inspiring them to embark on their own journeys towards personal growth and success.
