Business Icon John Pepper and Browns GM Andrew Berry Join Alliance Board
We are honored and humbled to announce the addition of two high-profile leaders, to our Board, expanding the Alliance’s already impressive list of supporters, advisors, and partners.
John E. Pepper Jr. Retired President, CEO and Chairman of the Procter & Gamble Company
John E. Pepper, former Chairman of the Board of the Walt Disney Company, and former Yale University Vice President of Finance and Administration, will serve as Honorary Board Member.
“Business leaders have been applying good decision-making skills for decades with proven results. It’s our obligation to share these skills with students as we know that the ability to make better decisions will positively impact them both in the classroom and out, and throughout the rest of their lives,” Pepper said. “These skills will make them better parents, employees, community members and leaders.”
Andrew Berry, Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager for the Cleveland Browns professional football team
Andrew Berry, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles, and cum laude graduate of Harvard University, will join as a full member of the Alliance Board.
“Today’s students face more, and more varied, challenges than ever before. It is our responsibility to teach them the skills that will enable them to make their own, good decisions and to be successful in the long term, regardless of their background, what they hope to accomplish or what tomorrow may look like,” Berry said.
Pepper and Berry join a list of global experts and leaders lending their names and expertise to elevate the growing call to have schools across the country teach Decision Education – which builds skills rooted in science and proven to enable improved decision-making.
“Our aim is to have Decision Education taught in schools and be available to a broad range of students by 2030,” said Alliance Executive Director Joseph E. Sweeney, Ed.D. “The support of powerful community, industry, and thought leaders will help us raise awareness of how Decision Education can shape lives and the incredible need our students have for these skills.
“Having John Pepper and Andrew Berry, both leaders of tremendous integrity, experience, and passion, join our effort speaks to both the critical importance and growing need for Decision Education to be shared with our students.”
Pepper, has long been a vocal and impactful force in several organizations aimed at helping children, including co-launching the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, a long-running and successful mentorship program in his hometown; serving as founding supporter of Every Child Succeeds, providing low-income pregnant women and new mothers with in-home visits; and co-chairing the ReadyNation’s CEO Task Force on Early Childhood.
Berry, whose appointment at the age of 32 made him the youngest General Manager in the history of the National Football League, infuses analytics, strategy, and the importance of decision-making throughout the Browns organization and is personally committed to advancing education to improve society. In June 2020, Berry started the #BeTheSolution campaign, focusing on education as he encouraged staff, fans, players, and the media to implement actions aimed at ending social and racial injustice.
Berry also was a highlighted guest on the Alliance’s Decision Education Podcast, joining Alliance Co-Founder Annie Duke in a discussion about decision making in sports and life.
