Robert A. McDonald served as the CEO of Procter & Gamble from 2009 until his retirement in 2013 after a notable 33-year career with the company. Under his leadership, he was deeply involved in shaping the company’s strong reputation for...

Robert A. McDonald served as the CEO of Procter & Gamble from 2009 until his retirement in 2013 after a notable 33-year career with the company. Under his leadership, he was deeply involved in shaping the company’s strong reputation for quality and innovation in consumer products, including brands like Tide, Charmin, and Pampers. In 2013, McDonald made headlines with a $19.5 million earnings package, including a base salary of $2 million and a performance bonus of $4.4 million, demonstrating a strong alignment between executive pay and company performance. Interestingly, rather than a lucrative retirement package, he adhered to standard company practices without special post-retirement compensation. As of late 2019, his stock holdings in P&G were valued at nearly $28 million, reflecting his commitment to the company's long-term success. A business graduate from the University of Utah and an MBA from the Wharton School, McDonald’s tenure exemplified how proper performance metrics can directly influence CEO compensation, as most of his earnings were tied to the company's financial results. This encapsulates the adage that in business, results matter and are rewarded accordingly.