The event was this year’s final instalment of Cosmetic Executive Women’s Career Development Series, sponsored by Symrise. “We want attendees to leave with actionable advice and feel determined and inspired to succeed,” Carlotta Jacobson, president of CEW tells the press.
“To hear first-hand about the journey of two leaders with such a wealth of experience in the beauty industry is invaluable,” she recognizes in a media release about the event.
Keywords
Risk taking, relationships, communication, support, learning, and smart business decisions were (it’s fair to say) the themes of the conversation between Pamela Baxter and Terry Darland and moderator Andrea Nagel, vice president of content at CEW.
Baxter, just this year, launched a beauty incubator to provide services and support to startup and indie brands. Bona Fide Beauty Lab specializes “in the funding and operating of high potential, founder-led growth businesses in the prestige beauty sector,” as the CEW media release describes it. Prior to that Baxter headed up perfumes and cosmetics in North America for LVMH. Her experience also includes serving as president and CEO for Dior Couture in North America and Mexico.
As president of the specialty group at Estée Lauder, before that, she was integral in making Jo Malone and Créme de la Mer the world-renowned brands they are today. Both Baxter and Darland sit on the CEW board of directors and have been honored with the organization’s Achiever Award.
Darland also has a long history with Estée Lauder, holding roles including vice president of marketing and vice president of sales and education of Prescriptives / Kate Spade Beauty. Since 2014 Darland is the senior vice president of Christian Dior Perfumes and Cosmetics for LVMH.
Takeaways
Among the guidance Baxter and Darland shared at last week’s CEW Leadership Power Hour, was the notion that quality industry relationships come from being bold and making good decisions for the brand or business. “As long as you’re good to your word and don’t go back, even if you’re delivering a tough message, you’re doing it for the good of the brand,” explained Baxter about her decision to close hundreds of retail doors for a brand. The retailer she had to give the bad news to was understandably upset but over time respected Baxter more for having done right by the brand she was leading.