With an academic background in chemical engineering, it’s no surprise that Ron Gee’s approach to leadership is analytical and disciplined, but always open to experimentation as a pathway to innovation and value creation. His broad experience has led him to prioritize talent development as vital to organizational success, earning Ron a solid reputation as teambuilder, decision maker, and innovator.
Ron joined Shiseido Americas in 2016 as Chief Financial Officer and assumed his current role as President & CEO in June 2021. Today, Ron is responsible for overseeing and managing the Americas organization and Shiseido Group’s brands and businesses in the US, Canada, and Latin America, including brand Shiseido, Clé de Peau Beauté, NARS Cosmetics, Drunk Elephant, Tory Burch Beauty, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, Issey Miyake, and Narciso Rodriguez. Concurrent with his CEO position, Ron also serves as Global Brandholder for the NARS, Drunk Elephant, Tory Burch Beauty and Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare brands, as well as M&A Leader for Shiseido Group, a global role, directing all M&A activity for the company. He has spearheaded some of the company’s most noteworthy M&A and business transformation projects including the acquisitions of Drunk Elephant and Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, the license for Tory Burch Beauty and the formation of LIFT Ventures, a Shiseido-owned investment fund focused on early-stage companies in the beauty and wellness sector.
Before turning to beauty, Ron began his career at Kraft Foods Inc., as an engineer, eventually transitioning to finance. Thereafter, Ron worked on globally recognized brands such as Maxwell House Coffee, Kraft Cheese, Kool Aid & Jell-O, successfully managing these complex channel and sku-intensive businesses.
Currently established in the highly competitive beauty industry for more than 15 years, Ron has worked in nearly all categories, including makeup, skincare, fragrance and haircare, and in all channels, including luxury/prestige, mass market and salon businesses. At Coty, Inc., Ron served as Chief Financial Officer of the Americas, responsible for leading the region’s strategic plan and commercial execution across all businesses and multiple manufacturing sites. At L’Oréal, he served in various financial leadership positions, working on brands such as Maybelline, Garnier, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Yves Saint Laurent.
Ron received his Master of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from the New York University Stern Graduate School of Business and his Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University. Ron and his wife Rose are longtime residents of Manhattan and are very proud parents to three amazing girls.
