Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) hosted the 2024 Achiever Awards earlier this month at a celebratory luncheon held at New York’s Marriott Marquis. Carlotta Jacobson, CEW president, welcomed attendees, 1,000 strong, to the annual event. Dotdash Meredith was the presenting sponsor of the program, which honors an extraordinary range of female leaders shaping the beauty industry today.

Jacobson said, “It’s hard to believe that 30 years ago we created the CEW Achiever Awards to call attention to the accomplishments of achievers in the beauty industry.” She addressed those in attendance saying, “You all make it possible to recognize the pivotal work women do in this industry. The Achiever Awards shine a light on the need for recognition and advancement of women in leadership. Our industry thrives on the strength of its female leaders, and it’s more essential than ever to champion their remarkable contributions.”

Jill Scalamandre, CEO, Beekman 1802, and chairwoman, CEW, echoed Jacobson’s sentiments, noting the extraordinary work women do to achieve this honor. She highlighted the CEW Women’s Leadership platform and urged the continued support of CEW’s membership and sponsor partnerships to fulfill CEW’s mission to motivate, elevate and advance female leaders in the industry.

Sally Holmes, editor in chief, InStyle, provided opening remarks and set the stage for the presentation, which was comprised of the Achiever Awards, honoring eight leaders shaping the beauty industry today; the Inspiring Educator Award, honoring one woman who used her platform to create and nurture new talent; and the Catalyst for Change Award, honoring one woman who has driven social change.

Inspiring Words in Trying Times

Struggle, triumph, and positivity, were key takeaways in a remarkable afternoon that saw the theme of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), front and center. Keynote speaker, Holly Thaggard, founder, Supergoop!, revealed her love for alliteration, acknowledging that Purpose, Passion and People, were indeed most meaningful to her in her personal and professional journey.

“CEW has truly become like a family to me over the years,” said Thaggard, noting that she began her journey with no beauty experience.

The Supergoop! founder, who revealed her passion for SPF, coordinated her silver lame skirt with a tee shirt emblazoned with the message, “Wear Sunscreen,” and emphasized, “Our purpose is the why behind what we choose to do; it gives us the motivation to stay the course.”

Clearly, she noted, “It’s not only about SPF, it’s about people enjoying the sunshine and staying healthy at the same time.” She continued, “The passion part is not something you can fake. Listen to your passion and surround yourself with people that help fuel it.”

Thaggard highlighted the people in the equation. “We need to cheer each other on. CEW has done that for me. She concluded by saying, “Wear sunscreen and practice safe skin care; foster healthy sun habits. We can continue to do this for Gen Alpha and their heirs. Keep holding each other accountable and lifting each other up.”

Inspiring Educator Award

Virginia Bonofiglio, associate chairperson Cosmetics & Fragrance Marketing, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), is the first educator to be honored with CEW’s Inspiring Educator Award. As a product developer, and later Professor at FIT, Bonofiglio has pioneered programs and inspired innovation in her roles in the fragrance industry, as well as her teaching. She noted her transition from creating fragrances, to working in managerial roles, to building the Fragrance Lab at FIT. As an educator, she continues to foster a love for beauty in the next generation of leaders.

“Teaching has been a pleasure and a privilege for me,” said Bonofiglio, who spoke of her childhood in Brooklyn, and the encouragement she received from her mother, who emphasized the value of education, telling her and her sisters they could be anything they wanted. “This was a life lesson I took to heart,” she said. “I am loving the journey, and it is during the journey that you really learn,” she said.

She thanked CEW for the honor and their support of women in the industry for more than 70 years, saying, “The beauty industry is about more than cosmetics, fragrance, and even SPF; it is about the empowerment of women and celebrating each person’s mission. Teaching is not a singular profession; ‘it takes a village,’ as Hillary Clinton said, and we could never do what we do without you. Empower your students to live their dreams, and have fun along the way.”

Catalyst for Change Award

Angela Guy, L’Oréal Global and L’Oréal USA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Board Member; and former Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, L’Oréal North America, L’Oréal Groupe, received the Catalyst for Change Award emphasizing the importance of inclusion in the workplace and beyond. Having led the department and strategy for 11 years, she has been responsible for shaping the diversity efforts of L’Oréal USA and Canada as a business imperative, valuing all forms of beauty and reflecting and respecting the differences of a changing marketplace.

“At L’Oréal, we are as inclusive as the community we serve. I can’t see a world where my children don’t have a voice, and anything I can do to leverage that voice is what I do,” she said.

Guy, who is the third recipient of the Catalyst for Change Award, emphasized what she called, the “simple saying” that is a mainstay at L’Oréal, “People, people, and people.” She said, “You have to see all of them, and address the color of their skin and the texture of their hair. We can drive change through DE&I, and address all people and their needs.”

She asked everyone in attendance to raise their hands if they had ever had felt discriminated against, and noted that DEI exists to address all people, and that inclusion and understanding diversity influences outcomes. Guy said she would continue to be a catalyst for change and acknowledged that indeed, “all of the day’s winners were catalysts for change.”

Assessing the impact of DEI throughout her career, Guy shared a quote from her mother, and said, “I am drinking from my saucer, because my cup has overflowed.”

2024 Achiever Award Honorees

This year’s award winners were as follows:

• Jenny Belknap, SVP, enterprise marketing & portfolio strategy, North America, The Estée Lauder Companies, presented by Jane Lauder, The Estée Lauder Companies

• Maria Chiclana, chief legal officer & global general counsel, Shiseido, presented by Ron Gee, Shiseido Americas

• Penny Coy, senior vice president, merchandising, skincare, bodycare, haircare, wellness, Ulta, presented by Monica Arnaudo, Ulta Beauty

• Ali Goldstein, president, L’Oréal Paris USA, presented by Carol Hamilton, L’Oréal USA

• Andrea Harrison, formerly of CVS Health, presented by Musab Balbale, CVS Health

• Anitra Marsh, VP & chief communications officer, P&G Beauty, presented by Damon Jones, P&G

• Sarah Lee and Christine Chang, co-founders and co-CEOs: Glow Recipe, presented by Priya Venkatesh, Sephora

While each honoree described a wide range of introductions to the beauty industry, from small towns and humble beginnings, to surprising career turns, each shared a drive to follow their passion, remain true to their choices, lift each other up, and contribute to an equitable future for all. CEW has demonstrated again the value of big dreams, mutual support, and advocacy for the next generation of leaders.

Sponsors for this year’s Achiever Awards included Amazon Beauty, P&G Beauty, IFF, Parfums Christian Dior, L’Oréal Groupe, The Estée Lauder Companies, Shiseido Americas, Parlux Ltd., Presperse, KARGO, 24 Seven, Unilever, RéVive, IPSY, tarte, PRAI beauty, Camille Rose, Catch, Sephora, e.l.f. Beauty, HSN, and Jones Day. Event partners included Oracle NetSuite, Kaplow Communications, Active Concepts, and Consultancy Media.