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You’d think that a leader focused on the innovation of feminine hygiene products like Jhohan Lozano wouldn’t have time for anything else. But the senior scientist in research and development at Procter & Gamble has managed to strike a balance between addressing consumer needs and the needs of the communities he belongs to.
He shares those efforts including the ways he has steered Hispanics toward fruitful opportunities through the ERG and professional network he cofounded, all while launching new products.
What do you do today?
I am a senior scientist in research and development at Procter & Gamble (P&G). Within my role, I get to work on the current and future innovation of feminine hygiene pads through the Always brand globally! As a product researcher/manager, I work among a wide group of teams ideating through consumer needs and tensions while addressing them via new claims, demos and product changes—all leading to a better experience for her! On top of my day to day, I keep myself engaged in the Hispanic community at P&G and the greater Cincinnati area. I lead Hispanic recruiting efforts through school recruiting across the nation and as a colead to our Hispanic summer intern program. From there I am the lead for the P&G Hispanic Young Professional’s network in Cincinnati overseeing a team of 8 and a communidad of over 250. Finally, I am one of the cofounders of the greater Cincinnati ERG collective which has led to collective efforts of community giving and events for companies like GE Aviation, Kroger, EY, and Cincinnati Children’s.
What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
My greatest career accomplishment has been being able to find the right balance of delivering great work while also leaving this company in a better place than it was. Stereotypically, an engineer is seen as an introvert with a heavy focus on the technical aspect of their work. I’ve been able to deliver big contributions (millions in savings for P&G, new product launches and materials) all while balancing organizational contributions at the same time. While delivering the business needs, I also started the first-ever Hispanic Young Professionals Community and the Cincinnati ERG the same year my team and I launched three new materials and a new product.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment to date?
Growing up in an incomed constraint household, food poverty was a real thing and fast food and unhealthy foods were the only things that were economical at the time. This on top of my priorities back then (shout out to video games) led me to be overweight, not play any sports, and become borderline diabetic. My greatest accomplishment has been the mental and physical accomplishment as I look back at my younger self. At twenty-eight, I’ve ran and completed four marathons (Boston, I’m coming for you!), placed first in my age group in a race weekend (1K, 5K, 10K, half marathon) and continue to accomplish new physical and mental achievements. This has also trickled down to my family who are all trying to prioritize health and wellness which brings me joy.
How do you tackle problems and overcome challenges?
One of my favorite qualities about myself is agility. Whenever faced with problems and challenges I am agile and use that quality to ensure that the situation does not stun me. The ability to take on new roadblocks or challenges and turn them into learning opportunities without stalling is something I apply in life. Things are going to happen, and things can be hard so taking it step by step knowing that you can’t change things is OK. Focusing on the opportunities ahead or what I would do differently is what’s more important and how I face problems. A growth mindset is the only way to progress.
What do you do today to impact your community?
Within Cincinnati, I am so proud to be one of the founders of the P&G Hispanic Young Professionals community where, within just the last year, we’ve seen so much engagement and requests to continue building on our events. Having started from no active participation in 2021 to over a hundred participants, this community continues to grow and strengthen which in turns makes peoples’ experiences better. It’s within this community that we also volunteer at different community centers partnering with predominantly Hispanic community services. My impact has allowed for the company to prioritize this group and in turn a sizeable chunk of the continued growth of this community internally, but also externally as we partner with other industries and companies. This not only grows the next set of leaders at P&G but brings the important community outreach to the Midwest in Cincinnati.
Describe yourself in five words.
Achiever, friendly, disciplined, loyal, and includer.
What are your future goals?
My future goals are broken down into three areas: personal, professional, and financial. My personal goals include travelling the world, being the best partner and future father, and finally to run at least another marathon abroad. These goals will continue to open my perspective in life, culture, and in my family. For a professional goal, I’d love to get to a point where I become a thought leader for whatever area I am working in. I want to be a trusted individual that can provide direction, support, and growth to others. Finally, I want to become financially robust in future and short-term gains to provide a comfortable and positive lifestyle for myself, family, and close friends.
What is your favorite form of self-care?
My favorite form of self-care is physical fitness. I wake up every morning at 5:05 a.m. (with a built-in ten-minute snooze). From there it’s either a workout, a long run, or an orange theory class. This is what allows me to be my best throughout the day. It’s my form of mental therapy to be able to feel good about my day. It allows me to relieve any stress or tension but also fills my cup in terms of motion and movement for the day.
What do you like to do for fun when you’re not working?
When I’m not working, I’m travelling the world with my wife. Whether it’s visiting a national park, going to the Amazon, drinking coffee in Colombia, or laying on the beach in Spain. Travelling reminds us of what it’s like to be small grain in this massive, beautiful world. You get to experience cultures, ideas, languages, and different sceneries.
What does making NextGen Collective’s 30 Under 30 list mean to you?
Making the NextGen Collective’s 30 under 30 list is a reminder of all the sacrifices my parents made to get my sisters and I to this point in life. It’s a reminder that I am making a difference for others. It’s a nod to all of their hard work to raise children in a different country after giving everything up back at home in Colombia. It’s a humbling moment to know that I am being recognized for the work I’m doing in areas that are a part of my identity. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me and the continued growth in my career, the impact I have on others and my community!
Editor‘s note: This Q&A has been edited for clarity.
