Sol de Janeiro bolsters leadership with CFO and Chief People & Impact Officer appointments
Sol de Janeiro has expanded its executive team with the addition of Laurie Lovett as Chief People & Impact Officer and Elaine Paik as Chief Financial Officer, supporting the brand’s next phase of global growth. “Laurie and Elaine are exceptional leaders with the vision, empathy, and rigor to help us grow with soul,” said Founder and CEO Heela Yang in a company press release.
Lovett brings experience from senior HR roles at Nielsen, Verisk, and Accenture, and will oversee HR, ESG, and social impact. Paik, a seasoned finance leader formerly with Impossible Foods and Colgate-Palmolive, will guide Finance, IT, and Legal.
With these hires, 71% of Sol de Janeiro’s C-suite is now female, reinforcing its commitment to purpose-driven, people-centered leadership, the release confirmed.
In Memoriam: Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus of The Estée Lauder Companies
Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus of The Estée Lauder Companies and one of the most influential figures in modern beauty, passed away on June 14 at age 92. Over a six-decade career, Lauder helped transform the company from a single-brand business into a global powerhouse, launching brands like Clinique and leading strategic acquisitions of Aveda, MAC, and other notable companies.
“Leonard Lauder was beloved by many and will be missed tremendously,” said President and CEO Stéphane de La Faverie in a press statement. “To the industry, he was an icon and pioneer.”
Beyond business, Lauder was a philanthropic force in the arts, education, and medical research, co-founding the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation and supporting institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Akemi Ooka to assume role as Independent Beauty Association Interim CEO
The Independent Beauty Association (IBA) has named Dr. Akemi Ooka as Interim CEO, effective July 1, following the retirement of longtime industry leader Don Frey. Ooka, who joined IBA in 2021 and currently serves as VP of Global Supply Chain and Sustainability Resources, brings over two decades of CPG experience at companies including The Clorox Company, method, and J.R. Watkins.
“Akemi represents the next generation of leaders for the industry,” said Frey in a company press announcement. “She is perfectly suited to make sure IBA grows and supports our members as regulations, social media, global trade, sustainability, and AI are dramatically changing how products are developed, and business is done.”
Frey concludes a career spanning over 40 years in beauty R&D and association leadership, including roles at P&G, Avon, and the Honest Company.
Vegamour names Michelle Miller as brand’s first CMO
Vegamour has appointed Michelle Miller as its inaugural Chief Marketing Officer, marking a key step in the brand’s global growth strategy. Miller brings deep industry experience from K18, where her marketing leadership helped generate over 25 billion TikTok views, contributing to the brand’s acquisition by Unilever Prestige.
She also held senior roles at Kosas and Too Faced, with a reputation for seamlessly blending cultural influence with financial achievement. “Michelle is a brand builder who understands how to convert cultural momentum into commercial growth,” said CEO Eric Hohl in a press statement. At Vegamour, she will oversee brand, growth, digital, and community functions, aiming to solidify the brand’s position as a leader in plant-powered hair wellness.
Stripes Beauty strengthens Strategic Advisory Board
Stripes Beauty has appointed Dr. Cindy Meston and Dr. Somi Javaid to its Strategic Advisory Board, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to science-backed care for menopause and sexual health. Meston, a leading researcher in female sexual function, and Javaid, a board-certified OB/GYN and founder of HerMD, will help guide clinical research, product development, and educational outreach.
“Women deserve solutions that are rooted in science and designed for their evolving health needs,” said Meston in a company press release. The appointments coincided with Vagina Appreciation Day and signal Stripes’ bold push to destigmatize vaginal health and promote open, expert-driven dialogue.
Founder Naomi Watts emphasized the brand’s mission in the announcement: “It’s time we talk about [these issues] more openly and support women more intentionally.”
Galderma appoints Heather Wallace as President of U.S. Operations
Galderma has named Heather Wallace as President of Galderma U.S., a key leadership move accompanying the company’s expansion in the region. Wallace, who will be based in the new Miami headquarters, brings deep industry expertise from her previous roles as CEO of Curology and President of the Americas for Revlon.
Known for driving commercial success and strategic transformation, she’s tasked with steering Galderma’s U.S. business in its next phase of growth. As detailed in the announcement, her appointment reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team as it scales in the competitive dermatology market.
