Cosmetic Executive Women presented the 39th Annual 2014 CEW Achiever Awards luncheon at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria, on October 17, 2014, honoring six of the beauty industry’s most accomplished leaders. It was also a celebration of CEW’s 60th anniversary, marked by the presentation of a special Lifetime Achievement Award to Leonard A. Lauder, chairman emeritus, The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc.

Carlotta Jacobson, president, Cosmetic Executive Women, said, “Welcoming this stellar group of individuals is one of my proudest moments. The achievements of these extraordinary trailblazers are so inspirational.” She added, “The man we are honoring here today has shown great effort empowering women and has recognized the critical role women play in this industry. Leonard Lauder is a great advocate of women in the beauty community.” Jacobson said that true to the Lauder tradition, the women in the beauty industry today “work harder, longer, and are smarter, making the sacrifices only women can make.”

“To the women gathered in the audience who are on their way up,” said Jacobson, “This is a fabulous industry.” She asked all the women in the Grand Ballroom to stand up and thanked them for their support, setting the tone for the accolades to come.

Jacobson congratulated the honorees, which included Laura Geller, founder, Laura Geller Beauty; Alli Webb, founder, Drybar; Jane Wurwand, founder and chief visionary, Dermalogica, The International Dermal Institute and FITE; Wende Zomnir, chief creative officer/founding partner, Urban Decay Cosmetics; Sissel Tolaas, smell researcher: Science, Art, and Design, Smell Research Lab; IFF, which presented the Great Idea Award for Fragrance Innovation; and Leonard Lauder, chairman emeritus, The Estée Lauder Companies, who was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jill Scalamandre, chief marketing officer, Skin Care, Coty, and chairwoman, CEW Board, noted that while she had worked with top leaders in the industry, she had never worked with Leonard Lauder. She said, “Leonard helped create a community of competitors who have come together with common goals.” Scalamandre introduced a video featuring industry notables who had worked with Lauder over the years. Lynne Greene, group president, Clinique, Origins, Ojon, Aveda, Darphin, and the Men’s Skin-care Group, Estée Lauder Companies, referred to him as “a modern man,” while Claudia Poccia, president/CEO, Gurwitch Products, said, “Leonard was an extraordinary leader and teacher,” and Catherine Walsh, chief communications officer, Coty Inc., said, “I will always remember his elegance and how he took the time to write his own thank you notes.” Clearly, a picture emerged of a man who was a personage, generous to a fault, and always professional.
Marigay McKee, president, Saks Fifth Avenue, described him as a mentor, colleague, teacher, and great friend. “Many of us in the industry have found ourselves asking, ‘what would Leonard do?’ when faced with business challenges. He is not only a teacher, but a benefactor, and great leader. I fell in love with him for his support of female empowerment in the industry,” said McKee. While Lauder always put the customer first, according to McKee, “His family, children, social causes, and the arts are important parts of the real Leonard Lauder. Philanthropist is also a description I cannot miss,” said McKee, noting his contribution to the Breast Cancer Wing of Sloan Kettering Memorial, and his efforts to raise millions of dollars for breast cancer research. She also mentioned Lauder’s recent contribution of his extensive Cubist collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, while congratulating him on his recent engagement and upcoming wedding.

A Man For All Seasons

Lauder received a standing ovation as he approached the podium, and immediately captured the attention of the audience with a collegial, confidence-sharing anecdote. “All of you have worked in beauty, but very few of you have worked for your mother,” he said. He recalled how the famous Estée Lauder had reminded him to comb his hair, noting the importance of one’s appearance, and quoted her as saying, “When sex goes out of the beauty business, so will I.” Clearly, her appreciation of the gestalt of the beauty industry has not been lost on Leonard Lauder. Those early lessons have served him well.

Lauder shared his appreciation and thanked all the protégés in the audience, adding a simple philosophy. “In order to get there, you have to dream and I’m a dreamer,” he said. “You can’t get anywhere without dreaming, so keep dreaming. I’ve been in this business for a long time and no time is more exciting than today.” He acknowledged the work of Fabrizio Freda, president and CEO, The Estée Lauder Companies, and the creative input of the women in the industry. “The power of women has never been greater than it is today. The wealth of a company is the people who work there. You’re the one who makes the difference, so I invite you to dream, and dream about where you want to be tomorrow. Wherever you are, I’ll be cheering for you.”