For Jenny Belknap, Vice President of Clinique Global Skincare Marketing, the road to success was filled with gallops and jumping hurdles – literally. “Growing up, I was a competitive horseback rider. I rode at the national level from the age of 12 to 20,” she explained. “This experience instilled in me focus, discipline, responsibility and drive, which extended beyond the show ring into the classroom.”

Jenny got her beauty roots during her sophomore year at Tufts thanks to her mother’s college roommate, Deborah Krulewitch, Senior Vice President, Corporate Administration for The Estée Lauder Companies. That summer, she worked at the Company Temp Program. “One of my assignments was updating the Company Phone Directory. This might not sound glamorous, but it was a great way to learn “who’s who” in a company,” she said. The job led to an internship with the Estée Lauder brand the following summer and a full-time position upon graduation.

What’s one of your defining moments?
Working on the launch of Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ was a true defining moment. Not only is it Clinique’s iconic “golden genius,” but like many women, it was my first prestige beauty product. I was so proud of owning this wonderful lotion that I basically built a shrine to it in my bathroom and covered my bedroom walls in 3-Step advertising.

What’s a professional mantra you swear by?
I think it is critical to remind yourself to “walk in other people’s shoes” every day. To win, you have to start by understanding each other first.

What advice would you have for young women looking to get into the cosmetics business?
1) The importance of understanding the diversity of distribution channels present in the industry.
2) The need to be endlessly curious about the consumer.
3) Being savvy about the digital space from a brand and consumer perspective.

What are key personal traits young women need to be successful?
I firmly believe that passion is key to success.Yes, you need to be smart, a good team player, a strong communicator…but if you don’t have genuine, authentic passion, I think sustainable success is highly unlikely.