10.31.22
Each year, CIBS (Cosmetic Industry Buyers and Suppliers) hosts its annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon, but this year was extra celebratory. The event, which was temporarily paused during the pandemic, returned on October 12 at Manhattan's Rosie O'Gray's restaurant. Everyone was excited to be back to in-person networking and celebrate this year's winners.
Allyson Tobin, vice president of CIBS, acted as emcee during the awards ceremony. Balla Murillo, CIBS President, couldn't be in attendance.
Christina Neuner, CIBS Scholarship Co-Chair, welcomed guests and thanked Ukachi Anonyuo, CIBS' Scholarship Chair, before announcing the winners. Each will receive $2,500.
The CIBS 2022 Scholarship Award Honorees are:
- Geena Tutundzic is the winner of the CIBS 2022 Michael Warford Rutgers Scholarship Award
- Rahimat Abdul-Rahman is the winner of the CIBS 2022 Matt Greco FIT Scholarship Award
Shaping the Next Generation—Harry Bennett & Virginia Bonofiglio
Neuner introduced the school programs' leaders—Harry Bennett, beauty industry veteran (formerly of Estee Lauder Companies) and adjunct professor of the Packaging Engineering Program at Rutgers; and Virginia Bonofiglio, professor and associate chairperson of the Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing Program at FIT. Magy Georges, program development specialist, Rutgers' Packaging Engineering Program, was also in attendance.Bennett and Bonofiglio spoke about the educational programs and curriculums helping shape the next generation of beauty and packaging executives.
Honoring CIBS' Members, Past & Present
Each award honors a CIBS member, former or present. Neuner said, "This year, our Rutgers Scholarship is in honor of Mike Warford, a CIBS member and our past President, who is with us today."Warford is the Director of New Business Development at ABA Packaging Corporation. As a long-time active member of CIBS, Warford was on the Executive Board in 2003 and served as President in 2007.
Neuner continued, "The CIBS 2022 Fashion Institute of Technology Scholarship is awarded this year in memoriam of our Honoree, CIBS member and past President, Matt Greco."
Greco passed away in September 2021. He worked as Vice President of Sales at Tubed Products for 25 years. "Matt was a long-time CIBS member who also served on the Board of Directors," said Neuner. Greco also served as CIBS president in 1988. His son, David Greco, was invited to the podium to say a few words about his father.
Meet the Winners—Geena Tutundzic & Rahimat Abdul-Rahman
Tutundzic is a senior at the Rutgers School of Packaging Engineering.Neuner said, "Geena is passionate about cosmetics and personal care and loves how Package Engineering integrates science, technology, and business." Tutundzic completed an internship with Bayer on the company's Global Innovations Packaging Team.
Abdul-Rahman is a senior in FIT's Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Creative Entrepreneurship Program.
Neuner noted, "What she loves about the beauty industry is that there are no boundaries to creativity. she is passionate about skincare, fragrance, and the process of product development." Abdul-Rahman held a marketing internship at L'Oréal.
Networking at CIBS
Scholarship winners each receive a one-year complimentary membership to CIBS. "During this time, they can build their networking and cosmetic industry contacts," said Neuner.Two past scholarship recipients were also in attendance, Lauren Bonifacio, CIBS' 2019 FIT Award winner, and Keza Ruranga, CIBS' 2020 Rutgers award winner. "They are our guests today due to the difficult circumstances during the pandemic. "They were not able to take advantage of in-person networking events," Neuner explained, adding, "This is what being a member of CIBS is all about."
CIBS welcomes new members. Apply to become a CIBS member here.
CIBS' Next Event
CIBS' next event is its 2022 Members Only Luncheon on November 9 at New York City's Harvard Club.CIBS will present another scholarship award at the luncheon—its Members Only Scholarship in honor of former CIBS Board Member Linda Buck.
The winner will be chosen at random from all applicants during the luncheon.
Pictured in the Photos Above
Take a look at CIBS' Event Photos for coverage of past events, and more from the 2022 Scholarship Luncheon.Shown the two photos above (L-R) are:
- Harry Bennett, Adjunct Professor Rutgers Packaging School
- Geena Tutundzic, 2022 Rutgers Scholarship Winner
- Magy Georges, program development specialist, Rutgers' Packaging Engineering Program
- Mike Warford, CIBS past president
- Christina Neuner, CIBS Scholarship Co-Chair
- Ukachi Anonyuo, CIBS Scholarship Chair
- Jo-Anne Greco, CIBS Past President, and daughter in-law of Matt Greco
- Rahimat Abdul-Rahman, FIT Scholarship Winner
- David Greco, CIBS Past Board Member and son of Matt Greco
- Virginia Bonofiglio, Associate Chairperson, FIT Cosmetics & Fragrance Design Program
Congratulations to the winners!
