People on the Move: Notable industry employment shifts in Q1 2024

28-Mar-2024 - Last updated on 28-Mar-2024 at 14:48 GMT

Mibelle Biochemistry and Skintensive are among the companies to welcome new Vice Presidents and board members, and other key positions to their strategic leadership teams. © CosmeticsDesign

Against the backdrop of Q1 2024, this quarterly roundup delves into the latest cosmetic and personal care product industry employment updates spotlighting notable individuals who have recently assumed pivotal leadership positions including chief operating officers (COOs) and chief science officers (CSOs).

Michael Conti joins Mibelle Biochemistry USA as the newest Vice President

Mibelle Biochemistry USA welcomed former General Manager of Solabia USA, Inc., Michael Conti, to lead its US sales and marketing team. Conti brings more than 20 years of cosmetics ingredient industry experience to the role, and “we are confident that his vision, strategic thinking, and commitment to excellence will greatly contribute to the continued success of Mibelle Biochemistry,” said Cornelia Schürch, Managing Director at Mibelle Biochemistry, in the company’s press release detailing the announcement.

About the move to Mibelle Biochemistry, Conti shared in the press release that he is excited about the opportunity. He believes the company “has large growth potential in the US as the consumer is looking for more high-performance skin care, associating nature and technology,” adding that “Mibelle is well positioned to meet these higher consumer expectations.”

Dermatologist-founded brand Skintensive welcomes John Bartolone, Ph.D. as CSO

Award-winning, science-backed skin care brand Skintensive, best known for its Skintensive bruise cream, is excited for John Bartolone, Ph.D., to join company co-founders Anar Mikhailov, MD, FAAD, and Vladimir Ratushny, MD, Ph.D., FAAD, as Chief Science Officer. Dr. Bartolone is a former P&G and Unilever executive and brings more than 30 years of industry experience to the position of CSO.

Most recently, Dr. Bartolone launched Unilever’s first plant-based preservative system. Before his work in the cosmetics and personal care product industries, he conducted and published groundbreaking research on acetaminophen hepatotoxicity. In the company’s press release, Dr. Bartolone said he is “honored to bring my experience and expertise to Skintensive as the brand continues expanding.”

Agricosmetics brand Oway welcomes new Global Color Creative Manager Jo McKay

Hair, skin, and body product brand Oway added former Aveda Hair Color Global Educator Jo McKay as the company’s newest Global Color Creative Manager. McKay is a hairdressing industry veteran with more than 30 years of professional experience and brings “a wealth of expertise in technical education, strategic development, and brand inspiration” to the role “to elevate Oway’s hair color offerings and foster growth across salon partners,” said the company’s press release announcing the new hire.

Regarding McKay stepping into the new position, Sharon Nykaza, Oway USA’s General Manager, shared in the press release that “we are beyond thrilled to welcome Jo McKay to the Oway team as the Global Color Creative Manager.” Further, she shared that McKay’s “passion for impeccable, healthy hair coloring is surpassed only by the joy she receives from teaching and supporting like-minded professionals to achieve outcomes they never thought possible."

Cult-favorite skin care brand Borghese appoints Dawn Hilarczyk as COO

Italian heritage skin care brand Borghese, known for being a pioneer in the mask category of the beauty industry, has recently announced the appointment of Dawn Hilarczyk as the company’s newly created Chief Operating Officer. Hilarczyk brings with her more than 25 years of relevant industry experience and most recently worked with luxury skin care brand Noble Panacea as the company’s Head of Global Sales, e-Commerce, and Business Development. Her former roles include key leadership and strategic positions at companies like Shiseido and Estee Lauder, Inc.

About her new position, Steve Pfeiffer, CEO of Borghese Group, expressed his excitement about Hilarczyk’s appointment. “Ours is an iconic brand that was founded by Princess Marcella Borghese, is steeped in Italian heritage, and offers legendary and effective products,” he shared in a company press release. “Having Dawn join and lead our organization leaves us positioned to meet our aggressive growth plans,” he added.

Skin care brand Michal Morrison adds Gail Naughton, Ph.D., MBA, to the company’s Science Advisory Team and Board of Directors

Biotech skin care company Michal Morrison, Inc. has announced the appointment of Dr. Gail Naughton, Ph.D., MBA, to its Science Advisory Team and its Board of Directors. Since the launch of the company’s first product, Genesis βSTEM6 Molecular Serum last spring, Michal Morrison, Inc., the company has made a significant impact in the beauty industry and has been named a “finalist for Best Innovation Breakthrough Technology and Best Product Packaging Design by Beauty Matter NEXT Award Summit 2023, and recipient of the Silver Award for Package of the Year( 2023) from the New Jersey Packaging Executives Club (NJPEC).”

To her new roles, Dr. Naughton brings more than 35 years of relevant industry experience. Her professional career includes holding over 140 US and foreign patents and founding two companies in the regenerative medicine space. About her place in the Michal Morrison, Inc. administration, she shared that working with the “team at this juncture gives me the opportunity to contribute to the new era in biotech skincare,” the company’s press release shared.