Every year the board of the Fragrance Foundation recognizes one person for that “single individual’s extraordinary impact on the fragrance industry,” explains the organization’s press release announcing this week’s event.
Membership in The Foundation is by invitation only. And, the organization works to be a resource and an asset to the fragrance and perfume industry by focusing on education, awareness, and more. Founded in 1949, The Foundation comprises members from renowned companies, including Firmenich, IFF, Interparfums, Givaudan, Puig, MANE, Robertet, and Symrise. Leaders from Coty, Estée Lauder, P&G, Elizabeth Arden, LVMH, Chanel, and Ulta are also in the mix.
Annual event
For the 17th year of The Foundation’s Circle of Champions award, the group will honor Pamela Baxter.
“Pamela Baxter is one of the industry’s most well respected executives,” Elizabeth Musmanno, president of The Fragrance Foundation, tells the press. “She is strategic, insightful and passionate and we are thrilled to welcome her into the Circle of Champions,” says Musmanno.
The dinner event will feature Donald J. Loftus, president of Parlux and EVP of Perfumania as emcee. Among those joining in the celebration of Baxter’s contribution to the industry will be Cathy O’Brien, president and founder of AAM Brand Management Group; Terry Darland, president of parfums at Christian Dior North America; Thia Breen, group president North America for The Estée Lauder Companies, and Laurie Dowley, chief advisor with the Perfect Corporation, according to the release.
Upon learning that she’ll be receiving this honor, Baxter remarked, “I would like to thank The Fragrance Foundation for this recognition. It is a great honor to be welcomed into the Circle of Champions by my peers and the entire fragrance industry.”
Storied career
Baxter retired from LVMH this year, where she served as head of the company’s Perfumes & Cosmetics division for North America and also worked as president and CEO for Dior Couture in North America and Mexico. There, “her work strengthening the partnership between fashion and beauty turned negative sales into a $400M brand with presence across the prestige market,” according to the Fragrance Foundation press release.
Before that, as president of the Specialty Group at Estée Lauder Companies she oversaw the acquisition and expansion of Jo Malone and the development of Crème de la Mer skin care.
This year Baxter founded the Bonafide Beauty Lab, which she describes (in her LinkedIn profile) as “a beauty incubator that identifies founder led beauty businesses and provides them with funding and management services for accelerated growth.”