Shilpa Gadhok '07

Shilpa Gadhok has built her career on re-energizing brands in an ever-changing market while building the identity for young brands looking for a breakthrough, sustainable growth. Currently the leader of the Emerging and Licensed Brands division at Wells Enterprises, a privately owned and family-operated ice cream company, she is responsible for crafting the future pipeline and roadmap of white space initiatives to help the organization continue on a path of growth for years to come. Prior to this role, her experience includes leading brand growth efforts on iconic brands like Pampers and Braun with The Procter & Gamble Company; revitalizing the US Kit-Kat brand to drive relevancy with a younger target audience, and then managing barkTHINS where she refined the brand’s identity and strategic positioning with consumers via marketing, media, and go-to-market models at The Hershey Company. She also served as the VP of Marketing and Branding at LIVELY, a female fashion start-up before moving back to Chicago for her current role.

A passionate purpose-driven brand builder with a keen interest in pioneering new and smarter ways to catapult brands for growth, Shilpa was named to Ad Age’s 40 under 40 list in 2017, was a finalist for the prestigious Milton Hershey Award, and is also a recipient of the P&G North America President’s Award. Shilpa earned her Bachelors in Finance & Marketing from Drexel University and received her Masters in Business Administration from The University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. She is also an Auxiliary Board Member for the Good Food Accelerator in Chicago, an advisor to startups, and a member of the Hive Global Leaders organization.

In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering for organizations like The Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project, public speaking, and teaching (and studying) the art of dance.