P&G Executive, an '83 Alum, to Give Keynote Address at SBU Graduation

One of the St. Bonaventure University’s most accomplished graduates will give the keynote address Sunday, May 16, at St. Bonaventure University’s 150th Commencement Exercises.

Deb Henretta, SBU class of 1983 and group president for Procter & Gamble Asia, will also receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

“We’re thrilled that Deb is coming from the other side of the globe to share her wisdom at her alma mater,” said Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., university president. “To have one of the most respected businesswomen in the world speak to our graduates is truly an honor.”

Henretta, who graduated from SBU’s renowned Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication, heads Procter & Gamble’s $14 billion retail business in Asia, including on-the-ground operations in 14 major markets and another 22 countries through distributor operations. She is responsible for P&G’s Asia portfolio that touches close to 2 billion consumers.

Since Henretta took over in 2005, P&G Asia has delivered four consecutive years of volume, sales and profit growth — doubling sales through portfolio and distribution expansion, brand building, and innovation.

Prior to her Asia role, she was the first woman to lead P&G’s Global Baby Care business when she was promoted to president of P&G Global Baby Care in 2001. She finished her time with Baby Care having delivered four consecutive years of record growth in sales, volume and profit, results not seen in nearly two decades.

Beyond P&G, Henretta is serving a second term on the Board of Singapore’s Economic Development Board, which acts as a board of directors for the country of Singapore. In 2009, she was honored to participate in a select Economic Strategies Committee commissioned by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and charged with developing a 10-year strategic plan for the country.

In 2008, Henretta received a U.S. State Department Appointment to serve as one of three U.S. representatives on the Business Advisory Council to APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation). She is a frequent speaker on a range of subjects ranging from leadership to work/life balance to innovation and brand building.

Henretta also holds a master’s degree in communications from Syracuse University. She lives in Singapore with her husband and three children, and is an active supporter of a number of charitable causes including Caring for Cambodia and Children’s Hospital of Cincinnati. She has served on St. Bonaventure’s Board of Trustees, as well as advisory boards at Syracuse and Xavier universities.

Commencement activities begin Friday, May 14, with the traditional Candlelight Ceremony for graduating seniors, followed by the Baccalaureate Mass on Saturday, May 15. Graduation ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 16.

Olean civic leaders Marianne and Erick Laine, chairman emeritus of CUTCO Corp., will also receive honorary degrees.