Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) hosted the 2025 Achiever Awards last month. The luncheon celebrated 50 years of recognizing women in beauty. The annual event, held at New York’s Marriott Marquis, embodies the organization’s mission to elevate, motivate and advance female leaders in the beauty industry.

The milestone anniversary paid tribute to the 2025 honorees, which included eight Achiever Awards, two Game Changer Awards and one Lifetime Achievement Award. CEW recognized the legacy of the women leaders who impacted the industry over the past five decades.

CEW President Carlotta Jacobson noted that since its founding in 1975, the organization has recognized 185 women. She highlighted the impact of women in the industry and beyond, particularly in these times, said Jacobson, when women’s contributions are being questioned.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate 50 years of trailblazing women who have shaped the industry, driven innovation, and paved the way for future generations,” said Jacobson. “These awards are a powerful tribute to the game-changers and disruptors willing to break barriers, spark change and leave a lasting legacy.”

CEW Senior Vice President Lisa Klein thanked attendees for joining the celebratory luncheon. She acknowledged the sponsors of the day’s event, including presenting sponsor, Dotdash Meredith; Platinum Sponsors, Amazon, P&G Beauty, L’Oréal Groupe and Sephora; Gold Sponsors, The Estée Lauder Companies, 24 Seven and Unilever; Silver Plus and Silver Sponsors, Ulta Beauty, ELF Beauty, Dior Performance Beauty Group, Tik Tok, PBG, Symrise, Presperse, Nordstrom, Sidley, SGPR, Glow Recipe and Perfect. Event partners included Cosmoprof, Oracle NetSuite, Active Concepts, Fairchild Media Group, Kaplow Communications and Consultancy Media.

Leah Wyar, president, beauty, style and entertainment group, Dotdash Meredith, congratulated the honorees, noting their deep connection to beauty. In a video, Wyar acknowledged that “beauty is how we claim space.”

It was an emphatic shoutout to the place of beauty in all of our lives.

A Resonant Keynote

Reshma Saujani, founder, Girls Who Code and founder & CEO, Moms First, acknowledged the work women do to get to where they are in the beauty business and beyond. Saujani educates and inspires young women in computer science and technology, and supports working mothers.

“Like every single woman in this room, there’s a whole lot of sweat that went into getting where you are. But the women being celebrated today managed to rise to the occasion with clarity, confidence and resilience,” said Saujani.

She emphasized the need for structural change for women, childcare and gender equality.

“There is no gender equality without affordable childcare.” Saujani concluded, “We are an army of women who are changing the story. Every day we celebrate the women who are just getting started when the world tells them they should be slowing down.”

Beauty Achiever Honorees

CEW Chairwoman Jill Scalamandre, CEO, Beekman 1802 introduced the 11 honorees, including the following:

Game-Changer Honorees

Alice Chang, founder and CEO, Perfect Corp.

Vennette Ho, global head of beauty, personal care & Wellness, Raymond James

Achiever Honorees

Catherine Bomboy Dougherty, SVP-global brand integrated communications, The Estée Lauder Companies. Award presented by Jane Hertzmark Hudis, The Estée Lauder Companies

Carrie Gross, co-founder and chief creative officer, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. Award presented by Dr. Dennis Gross, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare

Stephanie Headley, SVP-North America skin care and global, Olay, P&G Beauty. Award presented by SK Lee, P&G Beauty

Heela Yang, CEO & Co-Founder, Sol de Janeiro. Award presented by Hannah Yang, The New York Times

Melis del Rey, general manager, Health & Beauty, US Stores, Amazon. Award presented by Sam Heyworth, Amazon

Katie Welch, CMO, Rare Beauty. Award presented by Kim Magee, Rare Beauty

Amy Whang, president, US, Maybelline NY-Garnier-Essie, L’Oréal USA. Award presented by Christina Fair, L’Oréal USA

Tiffany Yizar, head of R&D, beauty and wellbeing North America, Unilever. Award presented by Esi Eggleston Bracey, Unilever

Lifetime Achievement Honoree

Carol Hamilton, L’Oréal USA

CEW Honorees Share Insights

Chang was recognized for her visionary leadership and impact on the beauty industry through artificial intelligence and augmented reality innovations. Perfect Corp technologies revolutionize the ways consumers discover, try and shop for beauty products. Chang shared her experience of being a female tech entrepreneur in a largely male field.

“I always felt technology had no value unless it could change the way things work,” she insisted.

Chang’s innovations have empowered individuals to utilize technology to make beauty more accessible for everyone. She encouraged everyone to “never stop believing in what is possible— a future where beauty and technology come together to make the world more beautiful for everyone.”

Ho of Raymond James said being an investment banker enabled her to play a crucial role in the beauty world.

“Women are often hesitant to talk about finances, but investing in yourself is what it’s about, as well as investing in future generations,” said Ho. She noted her work with women in such brands as Sol de Janeiro, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare and Briogeo. She highlighted the talented women founders who created beautiful products. While some came from finance, others did not, but they all faced challenges on their road to success.

Dougherty of The Estée Lauder Companies, thanked presenter Hertzmark Hudisor her mentorship and “showing her what it looks like to lead with grace and purpose.”

She acknowledged the value of her work experience, saying, “We rise not through ambition, but through connection,” adding that success is more rewarding when it is shared. Thanking her family, Dougherty said, “being present is more valuable than perfection.”

Dennis Gross introduced Carrie Gross as “the heart and soul” of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. They were determined to build a brand that delivers results and helps women feel confident in their skin. As CEO, which she defined as “Chief Enthusiastic Officer,” Carrie Gross attributed her success to the team that helped make her dream a reality. She enthusiastically noted that Shiseido was taking the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare brand global; and thanked Jacobson and the CEW board of directors for the honor.

Partnerships and Serendipity

Headley of P&G Beauty, spoke about her path to beauty, the importance of being bold, courageous and saying “yes.” Even as a child, Headley believed she could “do anything.” That optimism helped her transition from a career as a math teacher, to a position at P&G where she works with some of the world’s most iconic brands. At P&G, Headley and her team have the responsibility of carrying the 70-year legacy of Olay forward. She thanked her mentors, friends and mother, “Because you believed in me first,” and thanked CEW, saying, “The best is yet to come.”

Sol de Janeiro’s Yang shared a story of living in Brazil and experiencing an epiphany, which led to the creation of Sol de Janeiro. Pregnant in Brazil and opting for a one-piece swimsuit at the beach, Heela was encouraged by her husband to wear a bikini, which, she says, was the beginning of her shift in perspective. “In Brazil, people celebrate life, all shapes and sizes wearing bikinis and smiling the warmest smiles,” said Yang. “It was a shift, a vision, a celebration of our bodies with no judgement.”

She said Sol de Janeiro smells delicious, has the warmest packaging, and conveys the message of the experience. The equation came together, said Yang,

“The brand has six million followers, $1.8 billion in global retail sales, and is a well-oiled machine.”

While she noted that the brand needs to scale while making great products, and balance globalization of taste, the brand is bringing people together. The nightmare she once had of distorted caps and completely unusable products, reminds her to “always stay humble, keep nurturing the brand, and continue to deliver the heart of the brand to our incredible customers.”

del Rey of Amazon studied engineering before she found her true passion in beauty. She shared the importance of remembering that obstacles build strength and that leaders who think big move beyond their comfort zone.

“Follow your passion, passion drives excellence. When you pursue what energizes you, you learn more,” said del Rey.

Rare Beauty’s Welch shared insights into a brand that, “helps people be seen.” She thanked Founder Selena Gomez and her team for creating a brand that encourages individuals to be their best. She acknowledged the role models and mentors who helped shape her career, too.

 “It’s never just about lipstick, it’s innovation, it’s a collective,” added Welch.

She credited CEW for pioneering what we now call “Collective Marketing,” and emphasized the roles we play in one another’s futures.

“The beauty community has brought me purpose and joy beyond measure,” she concluded.

Whang told attendees to embrace the “turns and curveballs that life throws at you. Your vision is not what you expect it to be, so be open to what comes along on your path.”

She acknowledged that, as an introvert, her biggest challenge was standing up and sharing her voice. A serendipitous meeting with L’Oréal on the New York University campus has led to a 20-year career. She thanked CEW for the honor and the opportunity to be seen and recognized.

Yizar of Unilever brings science to the fore with innovations for textured hair and melanin-rich skin. She recalled how her mother had encouraged her to be an engineer and how her first foray into process engineering reminded her of the recipes she made in her mother’s kitchen. Yizar’s career in chemical engineering spans more than 20 years.

“You can wear pearls and a hard hat and be beautiful, too!” She shared, “I’m proud to stand here for all women scientists and for the women engineers who work in factories; and I encourage the path to equitable representation, and acknowledge the importance of exposure, mentorship and the ability to dream.”

Lifetime Achievement Honoree

Jacobson presented Hamilton with the Lifetime Achievement Award. She recognized her 40-year career at L’Oréal and her 20 years as a CEW board member.

“She is an icon, a leader, certainly a powerhouse, and a person who leads with her heart. Her leadership and legacy will always continue,” said Jacobson.

Hamilton was responsible for building the L’Oréal flagship brand into the global beauty brand it is today.

“This day, today, is also my last day at L’Oréal,” said Hamilton. “Looking back there are so many memories.”

She recalled the launch of Preference by L’Oréal hair color and its tagline, “Because you’re worth it.”

“When I first came to L’Oréal 40 years ago, they believed that beauty is not superficial, it leads to a better life for all men and women,” said Hamilton. “The industry started to change and the force of what this industry has become is powerful.”

Looking back at the beauty industry’s philanthropic beauty initiatives, Hamilton highlighted breast cancer research, gender inequality issues and women’s leadership, to name a few. She also spoke of her work with UNICEF in Senegal to help stop Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and referred to her Lifetime Achievement honors as a “halftime” recognition, noting the work that is still to be done to better women’s and children’s lives.

“And while changes have taken place,” she said, “Unconscious biases are still rampant. In these times it is important to remain unbiased and you can count on me to be dedicated to these principles.”

Inspiring Change 

Key takeaways this year included the spirit of collectivity, humility, sharing your voice, lifting others, serendipity, women and technology, grace and purpose. Clearly these were the messages of the day, and not coincidentally a thread that appears to be integral to the changing face of the beauty business today.

CEW is a global network of 8,300 members. Its mission is to empower women with the support, education, and recognition necessary to advance their careers. Additional information may be found at: www.cew.org.