Sundial Brands’ founder Richelieu Dennis is transitioning from his role as Chair and CEO of the company to establish and lead Sundial’s newly-minted Social Mission Board, as well as focus on his new entrepreneurial ventures, effective immediately.

Richelieu’s CEO role has been succeeded by Cara Sabin, effective December 1, who will report to Esi Eggleston Bracey, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, North America Beauty and Personal Care, Unilever. Prior to her appointment, Cara held the position of Vice President of Marketing for NARS Cosmetics’ Americas business. Additionally, her 20-year career includes senior level positions at Clinique, Johnson & Johnson and KORRES. She is also a co-founder of 25 Black Women in Beauty.

Richelieu founded Sundial Brands 28 years ago with his mother, Mary Dennis, and best friend Nyema Tubman, utilizing the business to reinvest in its communities, and equip women and entrepreneurs with access to the opportunities and resources to grow their businesses and transform communities. The Social Mission Board will continue this mission and has been designed to scale Sundial’s purpose-driven Community Commerce business model across the global organization, as well as provide insights, strategy and learnings across Unilever, which acquired the company in 2017. Additional members of the Social Mission Board will include Sundial co-founder Mary Dennis, Richelyna Hall and Emmet Dennis.

“When we created the Community Commerce business model almost 30 years ago, my family and I did so with a belief that we could build a successful business that also contributed to and invested in the building of other businesses and the sustainable economic empowerment of underserved people and communities,” said Richelieu. “Different from charity or philanthropy, Community Commerce was our mission and our passion long before concepts like ‘purpose-driven’ became popular, and it continues to be the cornerstone of everything we do. As I move forward with increased focus on my entrepreneurial endeavors and investments, including our $100 million New Voices Fund for women of color entrepreneurs, I’m also excited to expand Community Commerce across Sundial and Unilever through the Social Mission Board and scale a proven model that fuses business performance and societal well-being. This has always been, and will always be, our North Star.”