CHANEL, Sustainability Director, Fragrance & Beauty
As clichéd as it sounds, for as long as I remember I have been driven by a calling to help make the world a better place. After dabbling in journalism, I worked for several years in international relations as part of the United States representation to UNESCO and OECD. There, I catalyzed multistakeholder initiatives like Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth and Business for Inclusive Growth. Next I transitioned to the private sector with Danone, where I worked at the crossroads between external relations and sustainability strategy and oversaw the company's B Corp journey. This is position was wonderfully suited for impact, and I was able to advance Danone’s leadership while working to shift the broader system (ex. Danone's commitment on methane and creation of the Dairy Methane Action Alliance). My conviction that we need to make sustainability desirable led me to Chanel, where I now lead sustainability for the fragrance & beauty business, with a wonderful team of experts and changemakers. Any impact that I may have had until now has been thanks to: 1) a strong believe in the importance of empathy and understanding the interests and movitivations of others; 2) a broad curiosity and conviction that sustainability is not just about science but also culture, economics, history, spirtuality, philosophy; and 3) a passion for plotting and scheming with others to drive change.