UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The latest episode of "The CMO Podcast" features a panel discussion among Penn State alumni who have become leaders in their fields. The podcast is hosted by alumnus Jim Stengel (graduate class of 1983, Smeal College of Business), former global marketing officer at Procter & Gamble and one of the most respected marketing experts in the world.
The new episode is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The panel discussion took place at the Alumni Leadership Conference (ALC) held this summer by the Penn State Alumni Association. The annual event boosts leadership expertise and strengthens connections among alumni who volunteer as leaders of local chapters and interest groups.
At the past few ALC events, Stengel has brought together accomplished alumni to join him on stage to explore the art and science of decision-making. Together, they dive into the vulnerable moments that shaped their lives, career pivots that defined their paths, and lessons learned when decisions didn’t go as planned.
For this year’s panel, Stengel was joined by:
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Jim Erickson, graduate class of 1987, College of Engineering, who is the founder and longtime CEO of Blue Mountain Quality Resources, a leader in life sciences software solutions.
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Whit Friese, class of 1990, Bellisario College of Communications, who is vice president of creative marketing for The Home Depot, whose career journey spans advertising, Hollywood, and Emmy-winning creative work at CNN.
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Camille Chang Gilmore, class of 1987, Smeal College of Business, who is senior vice president and chief human resources officer for Avanos Medical, who built her career leading people and driving diversity at Boston Scientific.
The podcast offers a rich sample of the inspiration experienced by volunteers who attend the Alumni Leadership Conference and gives all Penn Staters a chance to hear those lessons firsthand
The ALC conference helps equip Alumni Association volunteers with the skills, insights and support they need to lead effectively. Stengel and his wife, Kathleen (graduate class of 1984, Smeal College of Business), have long supported the conference and the leaders it serves. In 2014, they contributed $1 million to enhance the association’s volunteer service and engagement programs, a gift that continues to sustain and strengthen ALC today.
“With the Stengel family’s support, the association has been able to create what many consider to be a national exemplar in volunteer leadership training and education,” said Tom Hammond, executive director of engagement for the Penn State Alumni Association.
The Alumni Leadership Conference underscores the vital role that volunteer leaders play in advancing the mission of the Alumni Association — building pride, connection and lifelong engagement among the University’s 800,000 alumni. The 2026 Alumni Leadership Conference will be held this summer at the University Park campus.
For more than 150 years, the Penn State Alumni Association has provided alumni with a strong and welcoming community representative of the Penn Staters it proudly serves. The association keeps alumni connected to the University and to each other, while upholding Penn State traditions and supporting the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. The association also produces the award-winning Penn Stater magazine and other publications, and offers alumni and friends volunteer opportunities, educational programming, and many other services. For more information about membership in the Alumni Association, visit alumni.psu.edu/youbelong.