A. G. Lafley

A. G. Lafley is an American business executive who served as the CEO and Chairman of Procter & Gamble (P&G). Under his leadership from 2000 to 2009, and again from 2013 to 2015, P&G saw tremendous growth, acquiring major brands like Gillette and shifting the company’s focus toward consumer-driven innovation.

Lafley grew up in Keene, New Hampshire, and graduated from Hamilton College. He later served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War before earning his MBA from Harvard Business School, which propelled him into his decades-long career at P&G.

Widely recognized for his strategic turnaround of P&G, Lafley is celebrated for emphasizing design thinking and open innovation. He famously shifted the corporate mindset to focus entirely on the consumer, often summarized by his philosophy that «the consumer is boss.» This approach fundamentally changed how the consumer packaged goods industry operates today.

Alongside his corporate achievements, Lafley is a sought-after advisor and author. He co-authored the bestselling business strategy book Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works with Roger Martin, which has become a staple text for business leaders globally.