For the first time since its founding in 1954 as a social organization, Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) has announced an effort to increase male membership in the organization. The organization, which currently boasts upwards of 3,600 executives in the beauty, cosmetics, fragrance and related industries, says the decision supports the goals of CEW’s Task Force for Advancing Women and Business.

“The men in the beauty industry have played an integral part in CEW’s growth by demonstrating support through their participation, attendance and sponsorship of our events and programs. It’s time to recognize their contributions and to encourage enhanced participation by them,” said CEW president Carlotta Jacobson.

“We believe that encouraging male membership will result in more corporate programs that are aligned with CEW’s mission to advance women and business,” said Jill Scalamandre, chairwoman, CEW, and CMO, Chrysallis.

Notable industry leaders have signed up to join including Fabrizio Freda, president/CEO, and William Lauder, executive chairman, The Estée Lauder Companies, as well as Pericles Stamatiades, company group chairman, Johnson & Johnson Beauty Care, Frederic Rozé, president/CEO, L’Oréal USA and Ed Shirley, vice chair, Global Beauty & Grooming, P&G.

To validate the business case for advancing women into leadership positions, the CEW Task Force commissioned and published research by the Boston Consulting Group and Center for Work-Life Policy (CWLP) entitled, “A New Business Model: Advancing Women to Deliver Results,” which outlines and supports the benefits of gender-diverse leadership in business today.

Cosmetic Executive Women, Inc. (CEW) is a nonprofit professional organization with over 3,600 executives in the beauty, cosmetics, fragrance and related industries. Its mission is to advance the professional growth and leadership development of women in the beauty industry through career development programs, networking opportunities, access to industry leaders, and recognition of achievement. CEW is based in NYC and it has associated organizations in France and the United Kingdom. For more information about CEW, log on to www.cew.org.