01.17.19
NEST Fragrances has announced the appointment of former Clarins executive Maria Dempsey as chief executive officer. Dempsey is described as an accomplished beauty industry veteran for more than 25 years, having held senior-level positions at Lancôme, John Frieda, and Clarins. She brings to NEST Fragrances a proven track record of executive and organizational leadership, strategic brand vision, and innovative retail and digital successes.
“Since the launch of NEST Fragrances in 2008, we have enjoyed enormous success and significant year-over-year growth,” said Laura Slatkin, founder and executive chairman of NEST Fragrances. “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. In order to appropriately capitalize on these opportunities, we require a capable and driven CEO who can organize and position the company for accelerated growth over the next few years. I believe 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.”
From 2008 to 2017, Dempsey held several senior and executive-level management positions at Clarins, most recently serving as executive vice president of marketing for the Americas, UK, and Travel Retail. In that role, Dempsey, who was also a member of the executive leadership team, helped to conceive, develop, and execute all brand, digital, and retail initiatives. Prior to joining Clarins, Dempsey was president and board chair of HM Mane Solutions, her own start-up business venture that launched the revolutionary EasyStraight brand of at-home hair care products distributed in drug stores in the U.S. and Australia. The company was sold to Zotos International, Inc., in 2007.
Dempsey began her beauty industry career in 1987 at L’Oréal where she was employed for 12 years, ultimately becoming vice president of marketing, Facial Skincare, Sun, Body, and Fragrances in 1997 for the company’s Lancôme brand. From 1999 to 2003, she was vice president of marketing for John Frieda Hair Care. Dempsey succeeds Nancy McKay who stepped down as CEO of NEST Fragrances in October 2018.
“Since the launch of NEST Fragrances in 2008, we have enjoyed enormous success and significant year-over-year growth,” said Laura Slatkin, founder and executive chairman of NEST Fragrances. “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. In order to appropriately capitalize on these opportunities, we require a capable and driven CEO who can organize and position the company for accelerated growth over the next few years. I believe 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.”
From 2008 to 2017, Dempsey held several senior and executive-level management positions at Clarins, most recently serving as executive vice president of marketing for the Americas, UK, and Travel Retail. In that role, Dempsey, who was also a member of the executive leadership team, helped to conceive, develop, and execute all brand, digital, and retail initiatives. Prior to joining Clarins, Dempsey was president and board chair of HM Mane Solutions, her own start-up business venture that launched the revolutionary EasyStraight brand of at-home hair care products distributed in drug stores in the U.S. and Australia. The company was sold to Zotos International, Inc., in 2007.
Dempsey began her beauty industry career in 1987 at L’Oréal where she was employed for 12 years, ultimately becoming vice president of marketing, Facial Skincare, Sun, Body, and Fragrances in 1997 for the company’s Lancôme brand. From 1999 to 2003, she was vice president of marketing for John Frieda Hair Care. Dempsey succeeds Nancy McKay who stepped down as CEO of NEST Fragrances in October 2018.
