Why is CEW membership important to you?

I joined CEW almost 20 years ago. As a young woman just entering this business, I was so excited to have a resource for meeting other beauty professionals, learning more about the industry, and hearing the inspirational journeys other women took to achieve their dreams.  Two decades later I can see that the access CEW has given me to all these lessons has been invaluable and has motivated me to forge my own path to success.

Do you have any tips for getting the most out of CEW membership?

CEW offers so many opportunities for personal growth as well as networking.  I encourage every member to attend as many events as possible, even if they’re not in your specific category or department, because there is always something to learn and be inspired by!  Also, the website and the email newsletters are very rich in curated industry information, helping me stay up-to-date on all the latest trends and moves in the business.  Finally, the Product Demo is a MUST attend – I love to see all the new launches in one place, run into old colleagues and get the gift bag!

What is the most exciting aspect of your current role?

I have been so fortunate during my 13+ years at Symrise to regularly be offered new challenges that have allowed me to learn and grow as a professional.  In my current role as VP of Global Marketing I often travel to our various offices around the world, meeting with our teams and clients.  I learn so much on these trips, not only about trends and the beauty business globally, but also about the people in those countries – how they live, their hopes and dreams and, as cliché as it sounds, how we humans are really not so different after all.

How do you spend your time when you’re not working?

I have been a vegetarian for almost a decade and have recently moved more toward veganism as I see the impact of climate change on our planet.  As a result, I’ve found that I really enjoy the process of cooking – discovering new recipes and combining interesting ingredients (especially spices – must be the influence of Symrise perfumers!) to create healthy, delicious meals for me and my family.  Also, having two young children, I spend a lot of my time, along with my husband, helping them learn and grow, which is both the most rewarding and exhausting job I’ve had!