CEW awards industry’s most powerful and influential women

The event was held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Manhattan, New York, last Friday, and included a packed audience of over 500 industry professional, with a key note speech given by Sheri McCoy, chief executive officer of Avon Products.

Four honorees were acknowledged for this year’s award, including:

• Julia Goldin, chief marketing officer, Revlon
• Carolyn Holba, senior vice president, marketing, Maybelline New York Garnier essie
• Agnes Landau, senior vice president, global marketing, Clinique
• Claudia Lucas, director of beauty merchandising, QVC.

A special mention was also given to Karen Buglisi-Weiler, global president, MAC Cosmetics, who received a 2012 achiever honoree title but was unable to pick up her award last year due to Hurricane Sandy.

This year’s Corporate Empowerment for Women Award went to Unilever, acknowledging the global personal care player’s active role in supporting and promoting female employees, and in particular the emphasis the company puts on women in executive positions.

Unilever has one of the highest female to male staff ratios in the industry, with nearly half of its workforce comprising of women, of which approximately 37 percent account for management or executive positions.

Unilever acknowledged for promoting female executives​

Acknowledged initiatives that the company has implemented specifically to empower female executives include Unilever’s Women’s Interactive Network, it’s e-mentoring program, and its Empowering Working Mothers program.

The 2013 Great Idea Award was this year presented by IFF’s group president Nicolas Mirzayantz, who recognized Karen Dubin, founder and director of Sniffapalooza, an association created specifically for professionals and consumers alike, who are passionate about fragrance.

Dubin’s award is significant because it makes her the first ever consumer to be awarded an honor by the CEW. Having started Sniffapalooza in 2002, it is now an international organization that holds events and appreciation forums for individuals passionate about fragrance creation.