Maria Dempsey joins NEST Fragrances as CEO

NEST Fragrances announced Maria Dempsey as its new CEO in a media release this week. And as founder Laura Slatkin explains in her remarks to the press: “we require a capable and driven CEO who can organize and position the company for accelerated growth over the next few years.”​

She goes on to affirm, “that person is Maria Dempsey. Not only is she an innovative business strategist and dynamic leader, she is also a straight shooter who is ready to roll up her sleeves and hit the ground running. I look forward to working with Maria to help shape a bright future for NEST Fragrances.”​

The future of NEST Fragrances​

Slatkin, who currently serves as the executive chair of Nest Fragrances has a good idea of what the company’s future can look like: “Since the launch of NEST Fragrances in 2008, we have enjoyed enormous success and significant year-over-year growth,” ​she tells the press.

“As a result of the tremendous interest in the brand from both our existing and potential customers, we have a meaningful opportunity to develop additional product categories, increase our digital penetration, and expand our international footprint.”​

Not surprisingly, Dempsey shares her vision. “I am thrilled to be joining NEST Fragrances and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to help guide and grow this amazing brand,” ​says Dempsey in the company media release announcing her appointment.

Giving a bit more insight in to the company’s positioning and plans for the years ahead, she adds, “I am so impressed with what Laura and her team have built over the years: NEST Fragrances is an aspirational yet accessible luxury brand that truly ‘elevates the everyday,’ has a fast-growing legion of loyal fans, and has significant potential to become even more relevant, desirable, and successful. With the enthusiastic support of Jill Granoff and her team at Eurazeo Brands, I look forward to partnering with Laura and the entire team at NEST Fragrances to get to work. There is a lot to be excited about and many good things to come!” (Eurazeo Brands has owned a majority stake in NEST since late 2017. Read more about that here on Cosmetics Design.​)​

The successes of Maria Dempsey​

The NEST Fragrances announcement introduces Dempsey as “an accomplished beauty industry veteran for more than 25 years, having held senior-level positions at Lancôme, John Frieda, and Clarins.”​

“Dempsey,” ​the media release notes, “brings to NEST Fragrances a proven track record of executive and organizational leadership, strategic brand vision, and innovative retail and digital successes.”​

Dempsey has been in the beauty industry since 1987 when she began work with L’Oréal, rising through the ranks, she was, 10 years later, the vice president of marketing for Lancôme. She’s held executive positions at Kao Corporation, HM Mane Solutions, Clarins Group; and served as a consultant for the British beauty and fragrance brand Crabtree & Evelyn.

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Deanna Utroske, CosmeticsDesign.com Editor, covers beauty business news in the Americas region and publishes the weekly Indie Beauty Profile column, showcasing the inspiring work of entrepreneurs and innovative brands.