Stick with the winners. You can learn a lot from an Achiever. During a Cosmetic Executive Women’s virtual event, Achiever Award winners provided insight into the career paths, passions, and perspectives that shaped their successful careers.

The session was moderated by CEW Board Member Linda Wells, founding editor of Allure, and Beauty & Wellness columnist, Air Mail.

“Achievers are constantly striving to achieve more, to open up the world in a bigger and better way,” observed Wells. She began by asking each honoree about their personal journey to beauty.

Susan Akkad, The Estée Lauder Companies, opened the discussion with her recollection of a semester spent in Cairo, which “as a 19-year-old, was eye-opening.” Always drawn to the idea of culture and beauty, Akkad revealed how beauty, as a “happy accident,” coalesced around her ideas of culture and connection.

“It was anthropological,” she said, adding she never expected to be working with skin of color, as well as ageless beauty. “I found something I never knew existed,” she said. Supported by parents who were academics and activists, Akkad recalled a mantra her father had shared, “It’s really okay to be a little weird,” and with that, said her career has combined a personal and professional passion, what she calls “a soft power role,” and is one that enables her to advocate for what she truly believes.

Sarah Curtis Henry, Christian Dior, drew on family support too, noting that as a child she was taught “to walk a little taller and stand a little stronger.”

She said, “It was a travesty that the beauty standard did not reflect my own family. I was fortunate to have grown up in a family that taught me about history. I learned beauty is variety, different cultures and different standards.”

In addition, she noted that it was important to learn that you deserve a seat at the table. Curtis Henry said that a lot has changed, thankfully for the good, in terms of what we see on the runway and in inclusive imagery.  She shared the importance of the ethos that was part of her upbringing. In recalling a recent restaurant outing in Harlem she added,

“If you ever get tired, just look at the next table at the little African American girl there and know that you are inspiring her I understand the weight of that seat.”

Nata Dvir, Macy’s, drew on childhood recollections of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and early shopping excursions for bedding in Macy’s home department. After graduating from Syracuse University, she didn’t know retail was the right career for her, but a training project at Macy’s, during which she heard Terry Lundgren speak, urging her to “bloom where you’re planted,” helped guide her path.

“Building relationships, creating a following, and having instincts continues to be a great source of pride for me,” said Dvir.

In describing her bigger purpose, she said, “Getting to know our customers and being able to mentor and help, specifically women, to find their voice at the table is important to me. My focus on the customer and mentorship is what makes a difference.”

Nathalie Gerschtein, L’Oréal, shared how she wants to “move the needle” in the world of beauty and beyond. Her international experience in Thailand, India, Laos and Cambodia, and currently as President, Consumer Products Division, N.A., L’Oréal USA, has illuminated her understanding of consumers’ different beauty dreams.

“Beauty is about confidence, self-esteem, and self-expression,” said Gerschtein.

While the conversations in India, for example, may center on hair; and the talk in Thailand, might focus on skin; the desire for beauty is different for everyone.

“What’s universal is beauty is a powerful force, it’s the way we express ourselves,” said Gerschtein. “While it always starts with the needs of the consumer, it is really about addressing their dreams,” she said.

Inclusive Beauty

Wells asked what drives one’s desire for beauty, Gerschtein replied, “It’s about understanding yourself better and carrying inclusion into beauty. I try to push my teams to showcase the diversity and relevance of beauty, and determine how to provide the right products for different skin and hair, so science is key.”

Her parents taught her priorities in life, emphasizing that what makes you happy is what you need to do to be yourself.

“I love the idea that beauty is happiness and I know that everyday I’m going to put a smile on someone’s face. I want my daughter to know that beauty is playful, but also very deep. I want her to feel proud of me and I know it’s about finding a balance. It’s also about giving a vision of what a woman can do. Providing the right product to address women’s dreams is key.” Gerschtein concluded, “My whole career has been about resiliency, learning how to dance in the rain, having a strong network and mentoring.”

Mele Melero, Unilever spoke to the powerful force Dove has become in contemporary culture. “Personally, as a mom of three daughters, I knew we needed a brand in Latin America, where I was, that was representative and meaningful in responsible ways for young women,” she said.

She cited Dove’s Body Wash campaign as an example, saying, “Last year we had a campaign for Dove Body Wash and a woman with a birthmark remarked to me that she was so happy to see representation in the campaign.”

Likewise, a breast cancer survivor, seeing personal representation in a Dove campaign, was similarly moved. “Yes,” said Wells, “it’s a soap, but it has this powerful message.” 

She credited her parents in Argentina for stressing the importance of education, travel and creating the possibilities to open up and think.

“This is what I try to do with my daughters. I’m a strong believer in energy, and for me, family is a big source. Consumers and trends are another source of energy, as is being in touch with my team.”

Igniting Change in the Cosmetics Industry

Melero says she uses her energy to bring passion to her work and ignite change.

“That’s my purpose. I like to think that the work I do at Dove helps to serve the underserved and helps people around the world,” she said. “I love beauty and the beauty industry and believe we have the opportunity to become more relevant and representative. A lot of things we take for granted in the U.S. are not available in other regions, so working on driving change and lifting other women are important to me.”

Commenting on work/life balance, Ilaria Resta, Firmenich, said she is honored to be the first woman to serve as president of a fragrance house, but also happy to bring my personal, approachable manner to my work.

“The way you see me at work is the same way you see me at home.”

She explained that in her career she experienced the opening and closing of doors, studied classical languages, moved to business and beauty; readily admitting it wasn’t planned that way.

“I’ve had struggles along the way and always questioned myself. As I grew, I realized mental well-being plays a very important role,” said Resta. She determined to be an empathic leader. “As leaders we should be approachable and aspirational.”

Fragrances and well-being play a role in creating a sense of pleasure, happiness, concentration and focus.

“There are many studies of fragrance showing that it can move from pleasure and hedonics to additional benefits,” said Resta. “With biodegradable ingredients we can impact communities, so I want to focus on fragrance beyond their benefits, like confidence-boosting, morale lifting, or lulling us to sleep.”

Resta said she gravitates toward positivity and sees the glass half full all the time.

“I always see beauty as having a positive impact,” she added. “I see it evolving, mirroring, and driving the agenda of equality and diversity.”

Alexis Schrimpf, P&G Beauty, knew she wanted to be a designer at the age of 10. When she was 15, she observed her father in his dentist’s office and learned about designing a drill. She remarked, it was clear then, that improving design would be her passion.

Holistic Product Design

When Wells mentioned that detractors suggest beauty products are all packaging, Schrimpf said it must be considered holistic design.

“From holding and purchasing a product, to disposing and recycling, it is a holistic journey. Empathy for the consumer is at the heart of creating a package,” she explained. “I’ve designed for surgeons and for people in the beauty category. It’s really about trying to understand how that consumer lives their life and providing what they need.”

“I love consumer research and I think of how I can address what people are expressing when I hear their thoughts. I always sketch and pay attention to where consumers are underserved,” she said.

Schrimpf co-created of SeeMe Beauty, a skincare line for post-menopausal women. She maintains it shines a light on women over 50.

“I can bring my experience to bear on the products we create,” she said. Asked what success means to her, she replied, “It means that I have had an impact on the lives of others with my designs. Helping others, whether it’s a better designed product or making sure we’re inclusive of everyone, is the most important.”

Uoma's Mission-Driven Beauty

Catalyst for Change Award winner, Sharon Chuter, Uoma Beauty, was the final participant in the program. Wells asked her how a girl from Nigeria changes the world of beauty?

With a ready smile and quick retort, Chuter replied, “I always spoke up and always wanted to be my authentic self. As a child, my nickname was Froggie, and that was a gift, because I realized I needed to show my beauty radiating from the inside,” said Chuter. “If we can find peace and happiness in what we are that is the true beauty.”

The Uoma brand is an inclusive, Black-owned beauty brand. Uoma means “beautiful” in the Igbo language of Nigeria. Products and shade range are inspired by the rich ethnic diversity of Africa, offering an expansive line for a variety of skin tones and undertones. The brand’s tagline conveys its position, “At Uoma we are an empowered people. Our race is human, our people are free, our language is color.”

Chuter is living her mission, taking bold objectives in stride. For her, makeup is expression; how one communicates, whether it’s a savage cat’s eye or a bright red lip. The Uoma customer, she explained, is ready to be themselves. It’s a brand that brought consumers’ voices to the fore.

“The consumers are the change makers,” she insisted.

Chuter said Success means impact. It means paying it forward.

“Success stopped being about cash. It’s a weird thing, but if I can leave the world better than I’ve found it, that’s success for me,” she said.

Her dream for the future is a world without labels. A world where people can be truly indifferent to the things that make no difference, like skin color or sexuality.

“Stop paying disproportionate time on things that don’t matter,” she concluded.