To Download a PDF of an Interview with Jane Hertzmark Hudis, Executive Group President

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

“Today we have 48,000 employees across 40 countries, and we have The Beauty of Belonging consumers in more than 150 countries and territories. Celebrating and embracing the beauty of belonging is how we do business.”

An Interview with Jane Hertzmark Hudis, Executive Group President, The Estée Lauder Companies

EDITORS’ NOTE As Executive Group Will you provide an overview of a high-performance public company deeply In the area of product innovation, we often company. A great example is our Open Doors Estée Lauder, my vision was to make ELC the President, Jane Hertzmark Hudis is your role and key areas of focus? rooted in family values. As a values-driven orga- look at our portfolio of “hero products.” Our program, which gives women with strong best place for women to build their careers and responsible for leading the company’s As Executive Group President nization, we ground ourselves in respect for the “heroes” are products that consumers love, driv- growth potential exposure to our most senior to make our company the premiere home for Estée Lauder, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, for The Estée Lauder Companies individual, uncompromising ethics and integ- ing high repeat and repurchase rates because leaders, including our President and CEO. We female talent. In my position, I feel a personal AERIN, Origins, Aveda, Bumble and (ELC), I oversee Estée Lauder, La Mer, rity, generosity of spirit and fearless persistence. of their incomparable quality and demonstrable also support women at all stages of their lives sense of responsibility to give back to our orga- bumble and Dr.Jart+ brands globally. Bobbi Brown, AERIN, Origins, Aveda, As we’ve grown into the global house of performance. Every brand in our company has at the company, offering a range of benefits nization, and for me there is no better way to She serves on the Executive Leadership Bumble and bumble and Dr.Jart+. My prestige beauty, with a portfolio of beloved heroes. Our most iconic heroes include Estée including tuition reimbursement for junior do this than by helping to bring women up the Team, is an Executive Officer of the brand portfolio reflects several of the brands, some things have remained constant: a Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair and Revitalizing talent, parental leave benefits and flexibility ladder alongside me. company, serves on the Investment highest-growth areas of the company, drive to always bring the best to every aspect Supreme+ franchise and La Mer’s Crème de La for new parents, and a host of learning and Today, with local chapters in North Development Committee, and reports including skincare and driving suc- of the business; an unwavering commitment to Mer and The Treatment Lotion. Hero products development opportunities to nurture profes- America, London, Paris, Latin America and Asia- directly to Fabrizio Freda, President cess across China and APAC, and with quality; a continued focus on social impact and such as these are the cornerstone of luxury sional interests and aspirations. Pacific, WLN has thousands of members glob- and Chief Executive Officer. A pas- Chinese consumers around the world. sustainability; and a culture of belonging that cre- and drive recruitment and, most importantly, This year we also announced our strat- ally and is led by a powerful mission to support sionate advocate of leadership devel- Jane Hertzmark Hudis In addition to my brand and enterprise ates a sense of family. We also manage our busi- brand loyalty. We continuously evaluate and egy on women’s equity. We committed and engage all women across the company to opment and inclusion and diversity responsibilities, I’m known for being ness for the long-term which allows our company invest behind our heroes to make them even publicly to achieving gender pay equity by reach their full potential to emerge as true lead- throughout her career, Hertzmark Hudis co- a powerful brand builder. A cornerstone of my to be guided by the principle of patient capital, more desirable with different benefits, applica- 2023; reaching representation parity for ers both professionally and personally. founded ELC’s Women’s Leadership Network in role is being a keeper of brand equity, being and this has been true since our founding. tions and other newness. In our most recently Black women at all levels in the U.S. by How are you engaging The Estée Lauder 2017 to inspire and engage women across the orga- a creative, a storyteller and a marketer, while How critical is it for The Estée Lauder reported quarter (FY21 Q3), skincare was nearly 2025; expanding business-based flexibil- Companies’ workforce in the Women’s nization, helping them become exceptional leaders also staying completely in tune with what our Companies to continue to innovate and 30 percent larger than it was two years ago, ity, and more. We also launched a Women’s Leadership Network? and mentors. Her expertise has been widely-rec- consumer wants and needs. where is innovation taking place in the owing much in part to the innovation in our Initiatives Taskforce, introduced flexible We have a variety of programs and events that ognized by many best-in-class organizations. She I am also the founder and executive spon- company? powerful hero franchises. work principles, and partnered with Howard span WLN’s four key pillars: Business Alignment, serves as a Director on the Board of the Fashion sor of The Estée Lauder Companies’ Women’s At the heart of The Estée Lauder Companies How important is it for The Estée University on a new program titled, “She’s Professional Development, Philanthropy and Institute of Technology (FIT) Foundation and is Leadership Network which today is our com- is our passion for creativity and innovation. Every Lauder Companies to build a diverse and Howard: Own Your Power” which kicked Mentorship/Sponsorship. We’ve invited a num- an honorary member of FIT’s Executive Committee pany’s largest employee resource group with day, we help millions of consumers express their inclusive workforce in order to bring off during Women’s History Month in March. ber of powerhouse women, including current of the Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and more than 2,000 members globally. individual beauty with superior quality products. diverse perspectives and experiences to the The program engages self-identifying female and former CEOs of major organizations, to join Management Graduate Program. She also serves How do you describe The Estée Lauder Innovation has and will continue to be essential table when making business decisions? graduates with virtual networking events, a our speaker series to inspire our rising stars with on the Advisory Board of the Breast Cancer Companies’ culture and how critical is cul- to our growth and long-term success. By staying Today we have 48,000 employees across lecture series and seminars on topics such as their career advice and how they made it to the Research Foundation. She has been recognized ture to the success of the company? ahead of trends and carefully nurturing emerg- 40 countries, and we have consumers in more balancing personal and professional respon- top. Our local chapters also spearhead many with numerous industry honors, including the FIT This year we are celebrating our 75th year ing trends, we create multiple engines of innova- than 150 countries and territories. Celebrating sibilities, navigating the challenges Black initiatives to drive WLN engagement across our Vanguard Award in 2018, the Outstanding Mother as a company and I believe that a fundamental tion to fuel our brands so that we can meet the and embracing the beauty of belonging is women face in the workplace, and skills for teams. For example, our Paris chapter recently Award from the National Mother’s Day Committee reason why we have seen decades of global discerning needs of our consumers around the how we do business. Our strengths lie in the approaching salary negotiations. launched a mentoring match app where leaders and Save the Children in 2017, the WWD Beauty growth and success is because we’ve stayed world. We also invest in innovation across many diversity of our employees’ backgrounds and There are so many glass ceilings that still are paired up with employees based on com- Inc. Beauty Newsmaker Award in 2016, the HELP true to the values that define our special cul- different verticals including technology, R&D, individual perspectives and we know that need to be shattered, even in beauty which has mon interests and career aspirations. We’ve also Hero Business Leadership Award from HELP USA ture. Our culture is often described as being digital, design, analytics and data. celebrating and empowering each person’s historically been male-dominated at the leader- launched two sub-groups of WLN, Women in in 2010, as well as the Cosmetic Executive Women uniqueness leads to breakthroughs. This is the ship level. We can all play a role – regardless of Supply Chain and Women in Technology, to (CEW) Achiever Award in 2008. Hertzmark Hudis reason that inclusion, diversity and equity are level, gender or profession – in lifting women support and engage women in STEM, as 66 per- received her BA degree from Vassar College and a driving force behind our signature creativity up and supporting them with the opportunities cent of STEM positions at our company are held her MBA from Columbia University. and innovation. We lead our business and our and resources they need to succeed. by women. teams with empathy and a desire to learn from You are a huge advocate for advancing What advice do you offer to young COMPANY BRIEF The Estée Lauder Companies one another. women in the workplace and co-founded women beginning their careers during this (elcompanies.com) is one of the world’s lead- “At the heart of The Estée Lauder Companies is Will you discuss the ways that The Estée The Estée Lauder Companies’ Women’s challenging and uncertain time? ing manufacturers and marketers of quality skin Lauder Companies is supporting women Leadership Network in 2017. What was the The most important piece of advice I can care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. inside and outside of the company? vision for creating the Women’s Leadership give is to find an industry or craft that you are The company’s products are sold in approximately our passion for creativity and innovation. Every Standing on the shoulders of our female Network and how do you define its mission? passionate about. If you love what you do, 150 countries and territories under brand names founder, Mrs. Estée Lauder, and today with As leaders in this industry, it is incumbent you will succeed. If you’re just starting out, but including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab day, we help millions of consumers express their 84 percent women making up our workforce, upon us to help the next generation of female directionally you know what you want to do, Series, Origins, Tommy Hilfiger, M·A·C, La Mer, we have a leadership role to play in “walk- leaders find their pathways to success. If we take any job just to get your foot in the door. It’s Bobbi Brown, Donna Karan New York, DKNY, ing the walk” and continuing the advance- want to see this industry thrive, then we have about getting started. Once you’re in the indus- Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, individual beauty with superior quality products.” ment of women. Women hold 55 percent of to be part of its future. An impactful way to do try or company you’re passionate about, your Michael Kors, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD BEAUTY, vice president positions and above at ELC, that is to be an inspirational guide, a sound- trajectory of growing and developing begins. Smashbox, Ermenegildo Zegna, AERIN, Le Labo, and on my own leadership team I’m espe- ing board, and a trustworthy partner to aspiring Stay open to career ideas and say yes to oppor- Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, cially proud that 12 out of the 16 leaders are talent – especially women. In 2017, I founded tunities that come your way, especially early on. KILIAN PARIS, BECCA, Too Faced and Dr.Jart+, women. Helping women rise in their careers the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) to Any entry-level job in an industry you love will and the DECIEM family of brands, including The is something I’ve long been deeply passion- help women build their careers at the com- lead you to new experiences and can shape a Ordinary and NIOD. ate about and aligns with the values of our pany. Inspired by our female founder Mrs. career path you may never have imagined.• 28 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2021 LEADERS MAGAZINE, LLC VOLUME 44, NUMBER 3 “Today we have 48,000 employees across 40 countries, and we have consumers in more than 150 countries and territories. Celebrating and embracing the beauty of belonging is how we do business.”

In the area of product innovation, we often company. A great example is our Open Doors Estée Lauder, my vision was to make ELC the look at our portfolio of “hero products.” Our program, which gives women with strong best place for women to build their careers and “heroes” are products that consumers love, driv- growth potential exposure to our most senior to make our company the premiere home for ing high repeat and repurchase rates because leaders, including our President and CEO. We female talent. In my position, I feel a personal of their incomparable quality and demonstrable also support women at all stages of their lives sense of responsibility to give back to our orga- performance. Every brand in our company has at the company, offering a range of benefits nization, and for me there is no better way to heroes. Our most iconic heroes include Estée including tuition reimbursement for junior do this than by helping to bring women up the Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair and Revitalizing talent, parental leave benefits and flexibility ladder alongside me. Supreme+ franchise and La Mer’s Crème de La for new parents, and a host of learning and Today, with local chapters in North Mer and The Treatment Lotion. Hero products development opportunities to nurture profes- America, London, Paris, Latin America and Asia- such as these are the cornerstone of luxury sional interests and aspirations. Pacific, WLN has thousands of members glob- and drive recruitment and, most importantly, This year we also announced our strat- ally and is led by a powerful mission to support brand loyalty. We continuously evaluate and egy on women’s equity. We committed and engage all women across the company to invest behind our heroes to make them even publicly to achieving gender pay equity by reach their full potential to emerge as true lead- more desirable with different benefits, applica- 2023; reaching representation parity for ers both professionally and personally. tions and other newness. In our most recently Black women at all levels in the U.S. by How are you engaging The Estée Lauder reported quarter (FY21 Q3), skincare was nearly 2025; expanding business-based flexibil- Companies’ workforce in the Women’s 30 percent larger than it was two years ago, ity, and more. We also launched a Women’s Leadership Network? owing much in part to the innovation in our Initiatives Taskforce, introduced flexible We have a variety of programs and events that powerful hero franchises. work principles, and partnered with Howard span WLN’s four key pillars: Business Alignment, How important is it for The Estée University on a new program titled, “She’s Professional Development, Philanthropy and Lauder Companies to build a diverse and Howard: Own Your Power” which kicked Mentorship/Sponsorship. We’ve invited a num- inclusive workforce in order to bring off during Women’s History Month in March. ber of powerhouse women, including current diverse perspectives and experiences to the The program engages self-identifying female and former CEOs of major organizations, to join table when making business decisions? graduates with virtual networking events, a our speaker series to inspire our rising stars with Today we have 48,000 employees across lecture series and seminars on topics such as their career advice and how they made it to the 40 countries, and we have consumers in more balancing personal and professional respon- top. Our local chapters also spearhead many than 150 countries and territories. Celebrating sibilities, navigating the challenges Black initiatives to drive WLN engagement across our and embracing the beauty of belonging is women face in the workplace, and skills for teams. For example, our Paris chapter recently how we do business. Our strengths lie in the approaching salary negotiations. launched a mentoring match app where leaders diversity of our employees’ backgrounds and There are so many glass ceilings that still are paired up with employees based on com- individual perspectives and we know that need to be shattered, even in beauty which has mon interests and career aspirations. We’ve also celebrating and empowering each person’s historically been male-dominated at the leader- launched two sub-groups of WLN, Women in uniqueness leads to breakthroughs. This is the ship level. We can all play a role – regardless of Supply Chain and Women in Technology, to reason that inclusion, diversity and equity are level, gender or profession – in lifting women support and engage women in STEM, as 66 per- a driving force behind our signature creativity up and supporting them with the opportunities cent of STEM positions at our company are held and innovation. We lead our business and our and resources they need to succeed. by women. teams with empathy and a desire to learn from You are a huge advocate for advancing What advice do you offer to young one another. women in the workplace and co-founded women beginning their careers during this Will you discuss the ways that The Estée The Estée Lauder Companies’ Women’s challenging and uncertain time? Lauder Companies is supporting women Leadership Network in 2017. What was the The most important piece of advice I can inside and outside of the company? vision for creating the Women’s Leadership give is to find an industry or craft that you are Standing on the shoulders of our female Network and how do you define its mission? passionate about. If you love what you do, founder, Mrs. Estée Lauder, and today with As leaders in this industry, it is incumbent you will succeed. If you’re just starting out, but 84 percent women making up our workforce, upon us to help the next generation of female directionally you know what you want to do, we have a leadership role to play in “walk- leaders find their pathways to success. If we take any job just to get your foot in the door. It’s ing the walk” and continuing the advance- want to see this industry thrive, then we have about getting started. Once you’re in the indus- ment of women. Women hold 55 percent of to be part of its future. An impactful way to do try or company you’re passionate about, your vice president positions and above at ELC, that is to be an inspirational guide, a sound- trajectory of growing and developing begins. and on my own leadership team I’m espe- ing board, and a trustworthy partner to aspiring Stay open to career ideas and say yes to oppor- cially proud that 12 out of the 16 leaders are talent – especially women. In 2017, I founded tunities that come your way, especially early on. women. Helping women rise in their careers the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) to Any entry-level job in an industry you love will is something I’ve long been deeply passion- help women build their careers at the com- lead you to new experiences and can shape a ate about and aligns with the values of our pany. Inspired by our female founder Mrs. career path you may never have imagined.• VOLUME 44, NUMBER 3 POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2021 LEADERS MAGAZINE, LLC LEADERS 29