Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) hosted the 2024 Achiever Awards on April 25, 2024, at a celebratory luncheon at New York’s Marriott Marquis.

Carlotta Jacobson, CEW President, welcomed attendees, 1000 strong, to the annual event. Dotdash Meredith was the presenting sponsor. The event honors an extraordinary range of female leaders shaping the beauty industry today.
    
Jacobson said, “It’s hard to believe that 30 years ago, we created the CEW Achiever Awards to call attention to the accomplishments of achievers in the beauty industry.”

She addressed those in attendance, saying, “You all make it possible to recognize the pivotal work women do in this industry." 

"The Achiever Awards shine a light on the need for recognition and advancement of women in leadership. Our industry thrives on the strength of its female leaders, and it’s more essential than ever to champion their remarkable contributions.”              
                   —Carlotta Jacobson, President of CEW

Jill Scalamandre, CEO of Beekman 1802 and Chairwoman of CEW, echoed Jacobson’s sentiments, noting the extraordinary work women do to achieve this honor.

She highlighted CEW's Women’s Leadership platform and urged the organization's members and sponsors to continue to support its mission to motivate, elevate, and advance female leaders in the industry.

Sally Holmes, Editor-in-Chief of InStyle, provided opening remarks—and set the stage for CEW's 2024 Awards presentation.

Winners in three categories were honored:

• CEW's Achiever Awards—honoring eight leaders shaping the beauty industry today


• CEW's Inspiring Educator Award— honoring one woman who used her platform to create and nurture new talent


• CEW's Catalyst for Change Award, honoring one woman who has driven social change.

Supergoop Founder Delivers the Keynote

Struggle, triumph, and positivity were key takeaways in a remarkable afternoon that saw the theme of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), front and center.

Keynote speaker Holly Thaggard, Founder of Supergoop, revealed her love for alliteration, acknowledging that Purpose, Passion, and People were most meaningful to her in her personal and professional journey.

“CEW has truly become like a family to me over the years,” said Thaggard, noting that she began her journey with no beauty experience.
 
The Supergoop founder revealed her passion for SPF with her coordinating silver lamé skirt paired with a tee shirt emblazoned with the message, “Wear Sunscreen.” She emphasized, “Our purpose is the why behind what we choose to do; it gives motivates us to stay the course.”

She noted, “Clearly, it’s not only about SPF, it’s about people enjoying the sunshine and staying healthy at the same time.” 

“The passion part is not something you can fake. Listen to your passion and surround yourself with people that help fuel it.”
           —Holly Thaggard, Founder of Supergoop! 

Lastly, Thaggard highlighted the people in the equation. “We need to cheer each other on. CEW has done that for me. She concluded by saying, “Wear sunscreen and practice safe skin care; foster healthy sun habits. We can continue to do this for Gen Alpha and their heirs. Keep holding each other accountable and lifting each other up.”

FIT's Virginia Bonofiglio Is 'Inspiring Educator'

Virginia Bonofiglio, Associate Chairperson of Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), is the first educator to be honored with CEW’s Inspiring Educator Award. (Read more at FIT: A Conversation with Inspiring Educator Virginia Bonofiglio.)

As a product developer and later Professor at FIT, Bonofiglio pioneered programs and inspired innovation in her roles in the fragrance industry and her teaching. 

She noted her transition from creating fragrances, to working in managerial roles—to building the Fragrance Lab at FIT. As an educator, Bonofiglio continues to foster a love for beauty in the next generation of leaders.

“Teaching has been a pleasure and a privilege for me,” said Bonofiglio. She spoke of her childhood in Brooklyn and the encouragement she received from her mother, who emphasized the value of education, telling her and her sisters they could be anything they wanted. “This was a life lesson I took to heart,” she said.

“I am loving the journey, and it is during the journey that you really learn,” Bonofiglio added. She thanked CEW for the honor and their support of women in the industry for more than 70 years.

“The beauty industry is about more than cosmetics, fragrance, and even SPF; it is about the empowerment of women and celebrating each person’s mission."
    —Virginia Bonofiglio, Associate Chairperson & Professor, FIT

"Teaching is not a singular profession; ‘it takes a village,’ as Hillary Clinton said, and we could never do what we do without you. Empower your students to live their dreams and have fun along the way,” Bonofiglio added.

L’Oréal Exec Wins Catalyst for Change Award

Angela Guy, L’Oréal Global and L’Oréal USA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Board Member; and Former Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, L’Oréal North America, L’Oréal Groupe, received the Catalyst for Change Award.

The award emphasizes the importance of inclusion in the workplace and beyond.

Having led the department and strategy for 11 years, Guy has been responsible for shaping the diversity efforts of L’Oréal USA and Canada as a business imperative, valuing all forms of beauty and reflecting and respecting the differences of a changing marketplace.

“At L’Oréal, we are as inclusive as the community we serve. I can’t see a world where my children don’t have a voice, and anything I can do to leverage that voice is what I do,” she said.

Guy is the third recipient of the Catalyst for Change Award. She emphasized the “simple saying” that is a mainstay at L’Oréal—“People, people, and people.”

“You have to see all of them, and address the color of their skin and the texture of their hair. We can drive change through DE&I—and address all people and their needs.”
          —Angela Guy, L’Oréal Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Board Member

She asked everyone in attendance to raise their hands if they had ever felt discriminated against, and noted that DE&I exists to address all people. She said that inclusion and understanding diversity influences outcomes.

Guy said she would continue to be a catalyst for change and acknowledged that indeed, “all of the day’s winners were catalysts for change.”

Assessing the impact of DE&I throughout her career, Guy shared a quote from her mother, and said, “I am drinking from my saucer, because my cup has overflowed.”

CEW's 8 Achiever Award Honorees

CEW honored eight beauty industry executives as this year's CEW Achiever Awards honorees. 

While each honoree described a wide range of introductions to the beauty industry, from small towns and humble beginnings to surprising career turns—each shared a drive to follow their passion.

This year's honorees remain true to their choices, lift each other up, and contribute to an equitable future for all. They are:

• Jenny Belknap, SVP, Enterprise Marketing & Portfolio Strategy, NA, The Estée Lauder Companies. (Presented by Jane Lauder, EVP, Enterprise Marketing & Chief Data Officer, ELC)


• Maria Chiclana, Chief Legal Officer & Global General Counsel at Shiseido. (Presented by Ron Gee, President & CEO, Shiseido Americas.)


• Penny Coy, SVP Merchandising, Skincare, Bodycare, Haircare, Wellness at Ulta Beauty. (Presented by Monica Arnaudo, Chief Merchandising Officer, Ulta Beauty.)


• Ali Goldstein, President at L’Oréal Paris USA. (Presented by Carol Hamilton, Group President of Acquisitions, L’Oréal USA.)


• Andrea Harrison, former VP of Merchandising Beauty/Personal Care & Hispanic Center of Excellence at CVS Health. (Presented by Musab Balbale, Chief Merchandising Officer, CVS Health.)


• Anitra Marsh, VP & Chief Communications Officer at P&G Beauty. (Presented by Damon Jones, Chief Communications Officer, P&G.)


• Sarah Lee and Christine Chang, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Glow Recipe. (Presented by Priya Venkatesh, Global Chief Merchandising Officer, Sephora.)

A Final Note

As a reminder, CEW is an organization that continually demonstrates the value of big dreams, mutual support, and advocacy for the next generation of leaders in the beauty industry.

If you're not already a member, visit CEW.org to join—and to read more about this year's winners. 

Sponsors for this year’s Achiever Awards made the event possible—and included Amazon Beauty, P&G Beauty, IFF, Parfums Christian Dior, L’Oréal Groupe, The Estée Lauder Companies, Shiseido Americas, Parlux Ltd., Presperse, KARGO, 24 Seven, Unilever, RéVive, IPSY, tarte, PRAI beauty, Camille Rose, Catch, Sephora, e.l.f. Beauty, HSN, and Jones Day.

Event partners included Oracle NetSuite, Kaplow Communications, Active Concepts, and Consultancy Media.

Congratulations to all the winners!