Jim Bechtold is one of the most accomplished, and also humble servant leaders I’ve ever met. Jim’s career over the past 30+ years included Executive roles around the world at Procter & Gamble including General Manager roles in the US and Asia, leadership of a unique P&G/Walmart joint venture, leading the creation of the See Her movement to eliminate bias against women/girls in advertising. Jim now serves as the Chief Innovation and Impact Officer for the CEO Forum - A membership community built to serve the distinct needs of Christ-following CEOs and Senior Executives throughout the world. Jim is often called upon by senior executives, and even the White House to encourage and equip world leaders. He holds a PhD in leadership. Most of all, Jim is a proud husband and father, and a Christ follower in all that he does.
My challenge to you then is this: what are you worried about today? What’s stressing you out? Giving your anxiety or fear or concern? I challenge you to give the fear and angst to Jesus. Ask him to lift it off of you. I always visualize myself carrying a backpack full of big, heavy rocks, and giving my burdens to Jesus is like taking those rocks out of my backpack and just laying them at the foot of his cross and backing away. Knowing he will take the burden. I just need to keep walking forward. I challenge you to name those rocks and take them out of your backpack and give them to Jesus.
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Learn more about Jim's work at theceoforum.org
More about Jim Bechtold
Jim currently serves as Chief Innovation and Impact Officer of the CEO Forum. In this role, he will be responsible for leading strategic initiatives through concept, qualification, and execution. These initiatives will drive member discipleship, growth, and satisfaction, as well as funding and resource breakthroughs.
Jim just finished his role as co-Leader of the ANA’s #SeeHer movement (https://www SeeHer.com). He led strategy for the movement and was the co-designer of the Gender Equality Measure (GEM™) tools developed to improve advertising and media ROI via the elimination of gender bias against women and girls. GEM received the research industry’s highest global recognition in ‘17 (ESOMAR Gold Medal). #SeeHer was launched at the White House in ’16 and membership includes the world’s top marketing companies (70+). The U.N. is a strong supporter and partner of #SeeHer.
Jim has been a leader in the family entertainment industry for 10+ years. He co-founded Flashlight Entertainment to support Walmart and P&G’s family programming initiatives (which was initiated by the CEO Forum). He co-produced many top movies including: The Watsons Go to Birmingham, Return to Nims Island, and Dear Dumb Diary. Jim was co-leader on multiple new ventures focusing on internet/OTT entertainment, TV series and music concert(s).
Jim held executive positions at P&G (employee for 20+ years) where he was VP/GM of multiple organizations (responsible for North America Marketing, Strategy, and Planning –including Media and Research responsibilities) and P&L business units (Baby, Family and Senior Care in Asia). P&G sponsored Jim’s PhD in Organizational Leadership (which also contained an in-depth focus on women and minorities).
Jim is co-Founder of Crossroads Church (Cincinnati, Ohio; https://www.crossroads.net), one of the fastest-growing and largest churches in the world (weekly attendance exceeding 35,000+). He was co-Leader of the nationally acclaimed STRIVE K-12 Educational Reform initiative (via the Knowledgeworks Foundation). These initiatives have raised over $500 million dollars.
Jim’s PhD is supported by degrees in Business and Decision Science. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife (Vivienne Bechtold – an internationally recognized P&G marketer; Co-founder of Crossroads) and three adult children (all in college).
Jim’s life Bible verse is: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me – Phil 4:13
