Ilaria Resta Headshot 2022

Ilaria Resta

President, Global Perfumery

Firmenich

Ilaria was named President, Global Perfumery in March 2020, and is transforming our Fine Fragrances and Consumer Fragrances business. She is also an active member of Firmenich’s Executive Committee.
Building on our strong reputation for renowned creativity, diverse talent and pioneering innovation, Ilaria is reinforcing our promise to remain fully concentrated on our customers, to not only anticipate their needs but exceed their expectations. With her results-driven brand and marketing expertise, she is remodeling our approach to both product development and digital strategy, with a clear focus on innovation, health and hygiene, well-being and sustainability. Her heartfelt support for our purpose to create positive impact has re-energized our teams, from our perfumers and fragrance developers, to our marketing gurus and innovation catalysts, as well as our laboratory experts and support teams.
A passionate business leader with expertise in brand building, sales and P&L management, Ilaria has more than 22 years of experience with Procter & Gamble. She has built iconic brands such as Tide, Ariel, Fairy, Swiffer, Duracell, Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences and Aussie, across Europe, Middle-East, China and North America. She has a track record helping business transform crisis into strong success, renewing P&G’s European Hair Care business and, prior to that, restructuring Duracell business that led to a successful divestiture. As Vice President, Hair Care, North America, Ilaria delivered the strongest business results in 11 years, growing market share and penetration, increasing revenues and profit, transforming the product portfolio and reinventing retail distribution. Ilaria was recognized as 2020 Brand Builder of the Year in the US by WWD.
Ilaria accomplishes dynamic results through her clear strategic vision, deep retailer understanding and inspirational organizational leadership. Her areas of expertise include brand building, category growth models, reinvention strategy, digital and eCommerce, strategic business planning, sustainability, social responsibility and responsible capitalism.
Highly creative, collaborative, direct and positive, Ilaria believes in the power of people and partnership to drive breakthrough business results. She believes that large, international companies should be a force for good for people beyond the products they offer, and she brings this purpose to all businesses she manages. She is an impactful leader in corporate sustainability and has partnered with Terracycle, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and multiple other organizations focused on social responsibility and diversity programs.
Ilaria holds a Bachelor of Marketing & Economics and a Master of Financial Mathematics from Napoli University. An Italian and Swiss citizen, she speaks Italian, English, French and Spanish. When not playing tennis, skiing or travelling, Ilaria enjoys spending time with her husband and two children in Geneva.