The Personal Care Products Council Announces Madam C.J. Walker Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:     

Lisa Powers, powersl@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 297-1232
Stefanie Harrington, harringtons@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 615-6558

The Personal Care Products Council Announces Madam C.J. Walker Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Recipients
Beauty Industry Recognizes Michelle Wang Goodridge, Kenvue, and Monique Rodriguez, Mielle Organics, as DEI Champions

CORAL GABLES, FLA. – The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is proud to announce its 2024 Madam C.J. Walker Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) recipients. The Award recognizes individuals in the beauty and personal care products industry who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to DEI through strong leadership and sustained efforts with a focus on workplace culture, program and policies, or through external engagement with consumers and communities. 

Presented last night at the PCPC Annual Meeting 2024 opening reception, the selection committee awarded this distinction to entrepreneur recipient Monique Rodriguez – founder & CEO of Mielle Organics, the fastest growing Black-founded and woman-led, multicultural hair care brand – and to corporate recipient Michelle Wang Goodridge – U.S. president of Brand Growth, Kenvue – in recognition of their dedication to advance DEI.

As a Black-founded business, Mielle Organics aims to empower Black communities economically by inspiring and contributing to future entrepreneurs. More recently, in partnership with P&G, Rodriguez launched Mielle Cares, a non-profit organization that champions the mental health and wellbeing of pre-teens and teenagers by nurturing a positive and resilient mindset to help create a future they can believe in.

“I’m so honored to receive this award. Like Madam C.J. Walker, I also started our company from my kitchen, and as Mielle approaches its 10-year milestone, I am proud to reflect on our accomplishments and know that the historic things we’ve done with Mielle Organics will continue to open the door for other Black women to do the same,” said Rodriguez. “I know I have a bigger purpose, bigger than Mielle, to serve our community and our youth. I stand on the shoulders of Madam C.J. Walker and aim to continue breaking glass ceilings and setting the trajectory for Black female entrepreneurs and business leaders.”

Wang Goodridge is a trailblazer, working diligently to create inclusive work environments for Kenvue employees, and ensuring that through her work, brands are collectively advocating and investing in equitable access to everyday care for all consumers. She is widely recognized as an agent of change and serving as a beacon in the industry.

“Accepting this award is not a reflection of my efforts alone but a celebration of our collective commitment to diversity and inclusion as an industry,” said Wang Goodridge. “We must continue to take bolder steps to address inequities in care, expand access, and foster inclusive environments and solutions that will ultimately lead to better outcomes for individuals and their families. Together, we can build lasting positive change for people and communities around the world.”

The Award honors industry pioneer Madam C.J. Walker who started her hair care business at the turn of the century, during a time when women of color had few rights and little opportunity. The Award is given to individuals in the cosmetics or personal care industry. Nominees are judged on areas of achievement based on predetermined criteria and selected by the Madam Walker Selection Committee.

“Madam C.J. Walker, Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein were among the women who started this industry when nobody else was paying attention,” said A’Lelia Bundles, event mistress of ceremonies and Madam Walker’s great-great-granddaughter. “And it turns out that this is not just about products, but it is about empowering people. Making women feel confident, but also giving people economic opportunity. And that’s very much what Madam Walker was about.”

“Madam C.J. Walker was a true trailblazer and one of the greatest entrepreneurs in history. She created jobs that helped thousands of women of color achieve financial independence. She is one of the reasons we have people like Monique and Michelle leading the industry today,” said PCPC President & CEO Tom Myers.

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Founded in 1894, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is the voice and advocate for 600 member companies representing the $535.7 billion global cosmetics and personal care products industry. PCPC’s members represent approximately 90% of the U.S. beauty industry and are some of the most beloved and trusted brands in beauty and personal care today. As the manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of a diverse range of products millions of consumers rely on every day – from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, makeup and fragrance – PCPC’s member companies are global leaders committed to product safety, quality and innovation.

For more information on cosmetics and personal care products and their ingredients, please visit www.CosmeticsInfo.org. 

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Beauty and Personal Care Industry Gathers During Annual Meeting to Envision a More Beautiful, Inclusive and Sustainable Future

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:     

Lisa Powers, powersl@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 297-1232
Stefanie Harrington, harringtons@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 615-6558

Beauty and Personal Care Industry Gathers During Annual Meeting to Envision a More Beautiful, Inclusive and Sustainable Future

CORAL GABLES, FLA. – The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) brings together industry executives and thought leaders this week for its first in-person Annual Meeting since March 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world. Attendees will reflect on the beauty industry’s past, present and future with a focus on creating a more beautiful, inclusive and sustainable world.

In recognition of the release of PCPC’s Economic & Social Contributions Report 2024, the Meeting program highlights important issues of the day, including environmental impacts and social issues challenging communities across the nation. This year, PCPC is honored to be joined by prominent experts who will provide insights, lead panel discussions and challenge current thinking:

  • Max Bennett, Alby, providing insights on how conversational artificial intelligence (AI) impacts beauty brands and retailers
  • Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, offering a balanced and thorough view of world news and its consequences
  • Elisabeth Anderson, Michigan State University, and Michael Fevola, Ph.D., discussing the complexities of the new value chain
  • Melissa Kopolow, Albright Stonebridge Group, sharing insights on the United Nations Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution
  • Elisabeth Anderson, Michigan State University, demystifying science through storytelling and data-driven best practices
  • Antonio Dias, Jones Day, discussing the intricacies of customer relationships
  • Justin Pierce, Venable, and William Mansfield, Emergent IP Consulting, providing insights on the multifaceted challenges posed by counterfeit goods, knockoffs and infringing products
  • Michael Maslanksy, Maslansky + Partners, highlighting key research insights into the issue of ESG polarization
  • Carol Cone, Carol Cone ON PURPOSE, and Harold Hamana, Knight & Pawn, sharing insights on the power of language in sustainability communications
  • Wade Ackerman, Covington & Burling, discussing the changing regulatory and legislative landscape
  • A panel of cancer patients, professional volunteers, psychosocial oncology specialists and member company representatives highlighting PCPC’s Look Good Feel Better program
  • Jessica O’Connell, Covington & Burling, providing a deep dive into recent developments in advertising and claim substantiation
  • Carlos Berzunza, CASIC; John Chave, Cosmetics Europe; and Darren Praznik, Cosmetics Alliance Canada, discussing critical regulatory issues affecting the global cosmetics industry

The Meeting’s first day concludes with a reception to celebrate the Madam C.J. Walker Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). The Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to DEI through strong leadership and sustained efforts with a focus on workplace culture, programs and policies, or through external engagement with consumers and communities. 

“I am honored to lead this year’s Annual Meeting as PCPC’s new president and CEO,” said Tom Myers, PCPC president & CEO. “Our industry enhances people’s wellbeing and contributes positively to our communities and our world. To that end, collaboration, partnerships and best practice sharing will continue to be essential to our industry’s progress in the years to come.”

Barbara Menarguez, PCPC Board of Directors chair and general manager, Fragrance and Beauty, CHANEL, noted: “PCPC’s member companies are in relentless pursuit of excellence through the quality and safety of our products and the integrity of our business practices. We drive change through innovations that positively impact people’s lives and the environment we all share.”

Up for election at the PCPC Board of Directors meeting held at the Annual Meeting are the following:

Freddy Bharucha, president, North America Personal Care and Beauty Operations, Procter & Gamble

Deborah Gibbins, chief operating officer, Mary Kay

David Greenberg, group president, Professional Products Division, N.A., L’Oréal

Mark Loomis, president, North America, The Estée Lauder Companies

Barbara Menarguez, general manager, Fragrance & Beauty, CHANEL

Michelle Wang Goodridge, U.S. president of Brand Growth, Kenvue

To learn more about PCPC’s Annual Meeting 2024, visit the website. Follow Meeting updates in real time on X, formerly Twitter, at @PCPC_News. For more information about cosmetics and personal care products, please visit www.CosmeticsInfo.org.

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Founded in 1894, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is the voice and advocate for 600 member companies representing the $535.7 global cosmetics and personal care products industry. PCPC’s members represent approximately 90% of the U.S. beauty industry and are some of the most beloved and trusted brands in beauty and personal care today. As manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of a diverse range of products millions of consumers rely on every day — from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, makeup and fragrance — PCPC’s member companies are global leaders committed to safety, quality and innovation. 

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2024 Sustainability and Impact Predictions

By Lisa Powers
EVP, Public Affairs & Communications 

After a year of exciting regulatory developments, renewed consumer interest in science and sustainability, and personal care brands leading the way in innovation, 2024 promises to be one of the most interesting years yet for beauty and personal care. We are pleased to share our key predictions on sustainability and social impact issues for this coming year. To bring these predictions to life, we asked for input from Cara Eaton, sustainability director at Croda, and Pamela Gill-Alabaster, global head of ESG & Sustainability, Kenvue. 

Regulatory Developments in the U.S. and EU

Emerging regulatory standards in the United States, European Union and United Kingdom are on the forefront of most companies’ minds. With new requirements affecting everything from environmental marketing claims and extended producer responsibility for packaging to ethical and deforestation-free sourcing of key commodities like palm oil, the need for companies to have end-to-end chain of custody traceability of their supply chains has never been greater. We expect companies to enhance their due diligence on source traceability to address these regulatory requirements and place a greater emphasis on visibility and engagement along all stages of the value chain.

“Companies around the world will be challenged to address the increasing global regulatory requirements for nonfinancial disclosure of ESG-related impacts, risks, and opportunities. It will become increasingly important that these disclosures have the same data rigor and assurance used today for financial reporting. These dynamics will not only foster greater collaboration between the ESG function and the financial comptroller’s office, but it will also drive demand for better tools for data collection, governance, measurement, auditability and reporting.”

– Pamela Gill-Alabaster, Global Head of ESG & Sustainability, Kenvue

Eco Design

Brands have started exploring “eco design” to address many of these new regulatory requirements and consumer demands. Eco design considers science-based tools that assess the environmental impact at all stages of the product development process to make the lowest possible environmental impact through a product’s lifecycle. Brands are creating a vision for sustainability by incorporating more sustainable materials in primary and secondary packaging, identifying end-of-life and re-use opportunities, and assessing impacts throughout the raw material supply chains. We anticipate novel product and packaging solutions to hit the market in 2024, highlighting eco-design principles and opening up the benefits of sustainability to more consumers.

Net Zero Pledges, Science-Based Targets and Carbon Impact

Companies are making bold commitments to reduce (or even negate) their carbon impact. PCPC member companies are committed to reducing their energy consumption by transitioning to lower carbon or renewable sources of energy. Many are ambitiously cutting their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while implementing mitigation, adaptation and resilience strategies. As consumers become increasingly interested in understanding these decarbonization pledges and targets, expect to see companies testing new methods to establish, substantiate and communicate their commitments.

“[I]nnovative solutions to address these challenges are in play across a variety of areas and offer some exciting opportunities to deliver impact. However, the challenges for innovation come from speed of development, scalability of solutions and the development of viable commercial pathways, among others.”

– Cara Eaton, Sustainability Director – Consumer Care, Croda Inc.

Technology and Transparency

PCPC members have leveraged technologies like blockchain, satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to achieve many of these sustainability goals. These technologies can drastically expand opportunities for sustainability by providing accurate data on greenhouse gas emissions, tracking raw material supply chains to the upstream source, and streamlining shipping and transportation of products from production to retail.

“On positive impact, both environmental (especially as relates to nature) and social elements (for people all along the value chain) are and will be a key consideration for integration to climate strategy to avoid shifting the burden. Science-based data points and traceability help to make the right decisions, offering opportunities for improved impact.”

– Cara Eaton, Sustainability Director – Consumer Care, Croda Inc.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Accessibility

While many companies struggle with the politicization of DEI initiatives, we predict that consumers will continue to expect products that are designed with intention for our diverse society. PCPC established the Madam C.J. Walker Award for Excellence in DEI to recognize individuals making demonstrable commitments to DEI in the beauty and personal care industry. Past recipients include Latriece Watkins of Walmart and Esi Eggleston Bracey of Unilever. This year’s award will again be presented by Madam Walker’s great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles, an American journalist, news producer and author.

MoCRA

The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) is one of the biggest regulatory updates in cosmetics in recent history. PCPC has been a staunch advocate of MoCRA and continues to provide industry’s feedback to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the agency’s implementation of MoCRA. Enacted at the end of 2022, the industry has now had a year to process new requirements under MoCRA. Many of the new provisions became enforceable at the end of 2023, including safety substantiation, adverse event reporting, records access and labeling. Because of the significant consumer buzz around MoCRA, industry leaders should expect to see increased levels of consumer engagement in 2024. We also expect to see brands engaging more deeply with suppliers to facilitate compliance with MoCRA provisions, especially those requiring a deeper level of information about products and their ingredients.

“The beauty and personal care products industry has always been driven by innovation. We are now at a transformational moment in our journey. Advances in sustainability and societal engagement offer exciting new frontiers to make significant impacts on our stakeholders – employees, customers, consumers, our supply chains and communities. Together, we can embrace the challenges and the opportunities ahead to build a more resilient, relevant and beautiful world for us all.”

– Thomas F. Myers, President & CEO, PCPC

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