Wiping Away COVID
Chris Duderich ’09 VSB, brand manager for Lysol Disinfecting Wipes at Reckitt Benckiser (RB), is working harder than ever to meet the needs of consumers amidst the global pandemic.
After graduating from Villanova with degrees in accounting and finance, Duderich worked as a consultant in PwC’s Deals practice, advising companies on strategic business transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions.
Through his experience, he became intrigued by the strategic and cross-functional impact of brand management and its ability to influence the growth of a business.
Looking to further develop his strategic and marketing skill set, Duderich earned his MBA at the Stern School of Business at New York University in 2016. There, he immersed himself in case competitions and classes that developed his knowledge of consumer behavior, branding and leadership. This curiosity and drive led him to discover brand management at RB, where he was drawn to the culture of ownership and entrepreneurship, and the ability to make an impact on global household brands.
In March 2020, Duderich was promoted to his current role as brand manager to lead the strategic planning and implementation of the disinfectant wipes business in the US. Immediately, he faced with the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and the scope of his team’s work expanded to meet the increased demand for disinfectant wipes. In conjunction with taking on the new responsibilities at work, he and his wife, Kate, welcomed their son, Jack, in early March. Both Jack and his big sister, Lily, have kept their parents busy these last few months, but the family has enjoyed spending extra time at home; it’s even allowed some of Duderich’s colleagues to “meet” his children during video calls!
Duderich explained, “During the global pandemic, Lysol’s mission of helping protect consumers from the spread of illness-causing germs became more important than ever.” He attributes his ability to lead and adapt to the recent changes to the strong sense of purpose and values he learned while studying at Villanova. He continued, “My VSB education equipped me with the strategic, financial, and leadership skills that form the foundation of my career.”
VSB applauds Duderich for the positive impact he is making while serving communities and promoting the health and well-being of citizens.
Chris Duderich '09
“We worked across the whole supply chain - from our suppliers to our customers - to find innovative solutions to increase product availability during the pandemic,”