Beauty’s Leading CEOs on President Biden’s Priorities
William P. Lauder
Executive Chairman, The Estée Lauder Cos.
The Estée Lauder Cos. has a deep regard for U.S. democracy, and we would like the very greatest for the incoming administration. As a enterprise that has been in business for virtually 75 yrs, we understand that this is a pivotal time in our country’s historical past.
Among lots of substantial undertakings, we would hope to see the new administration target on concerns that replicate our core values of lengthy-expression sustainable development, ethics, integrity and respect for all men and women. As the COVID-19 pandemic carries on to have an affect on the communities where our workforce are living and perform, we feel that the assistance of scientists and medical gurus should really be the North Star of public well being policy. Economic restoration from the pandemic is normally a best priority for all of us, and we hope the new administration produces chances for public-non-public partnerships that allow for the business local community to do its component in ensuring not only that we recuperate rapidly, but also that we occur back more robust, deal with concerns of financial inequality, and make alternatives for all Us residents to share in U.S. prosperity.
Our business continues to advocate for racial equality and will support this administration as it plays a crucial part in confronting deeply disturbing troubles of systemic racism. Running our company’s environmental impacts proceeds to be a best priority. Although we are very pleased to have created great strides in assembly our company’s environmental ambitions, we search to this administration to spot a higher relevance on the environment, incorporating environmental worries in plan and restoring our country’s dedication to a healthier world.
Mary Dillon
Main Govt Officer, Ulta Beauty
There is a lot work to be finished to unite the place and the 1st measures this administration can take will be essential to executing so. As President Biden can take business office, it is my own hope that he choose notable, swift actions to support our country start off to mend. I continue to be hopeful that we can pull collectively to handle the a lot of worries we confront nowadays in assistance of the greater excellent with a motivation to inclusion and regard.
Extra specially, it’s critical to note that all over 2020, retailers nationwide produced major investments to hold our friends and associates harmless throughout online and in-store shopping solutions. I urge the new administration to prioritize a bipartisan path forward to put the pandemic in the rear-check out mirror, so shops across the state can deliver people back to work safely and securely and support bolster the financial system. We are hopeful for a COVID-19 response method that features uniform, countrywide direction and prioritized vaccinations to make certain security across firms and workforces, large and smaller.
Esi Eggleston Bracey
Government Vice President, Chief Functioning Officer, Natural beauty and Personal Treatment, Unilever North The usa
The 1st precedence of the Biden administration demands to be obtaining the pandemic under regulate and taking techniques to rebuild our overall economy and provide back employment. But the two most urgent ongoing difficulties we facial area are racial inequity and the local weather disaster.
Making an equitable and extra inclusive society have to be a leading precedence. President Biden can take methods proper absent to reverse some of the harming govt orders from President Trump, such as the recent order on so-identified as divisive speech that is trying to interfere with employer packages on variety and inclusion. The administration need to also perform with Congress to prioritize police reform and voting legal rights laws as 1st techniques to address institutional racism.
At Unilever, we are advocating for the CROWN Act. Along with our partners in the CROWN Coalition, Dove designed the CROWN Act in 2019 to combat discrimination based on race-dependent hairstyles by extending protection to hair texture and protective models these kinds of as braids, locs, twists and knots. We are shut to looking at this become a countrywide law soon after it handed the House of Representatives in the very last Congress. I hope the CROWN Act will acquire assist from the Biden administration and we will see it accredited by the Senate, as perfectly as the Household, in the new Congress.
In addition to addressing hair discrimination, the CROWN Coalition has expanded its mission to advocate on other racial justice problems like law enforcement reform, voting legal rights and financial equality.
When it arrives to the climate crisis, we cannot hold out any more time. We need to have complete legislation to minimize emissions quickly to stay clear of the most harming impacts of climate change. The administration ought to take into account carbon pricing and significant tax incentives to accelerate the progress of renewable strength across the economic system in transportation and manufacturing.
There are also several magnificence and individual-treatment sector problems that will need to be resolved in the course of President Biden’s time period. It is time for Congress and the administration to join together to pass a nationwide ban on animal screening of cosmetics, which Unilever and our business trade affiliation are fully commited to. We also need to update the Fda regulatory program for cosmetics and ingredient assessment to make guaranteed we go on to sustain a significant stage of rely on with our consumers.
I be expecting to see much more businesses and brand names stepping up in help of governing administration motion on these problems. Companies have a responsibility to talk up for remedies to the most significant concerns we are facing even if, like Unilever, they are nonpartisan and don’t fund political organizations. We can no longer afford to feel of business enterprise as separate from society. We are aspect of society and require to lover with government and civil culture organizations to generate scale and accelerate adjust. In the extended run, business are not able to thrive until society and our people also thrive.
Desirée Rogers
Chief Government Officer, Black Opal
With the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris, The united states is earning historical past. We have elected the to start with African American girl to hold the business of Vice President. This duo is reflective of a modifying The usa and has the distinctive chance to unify a nation that has been ripped aside by financial inequality, racial division and the COVID-19 pandemic. Jointly, they have pledged to be the soul of The usa and reestablish what actually would make our democracy terrific.
The administration will will need to be centered on addressing our financial system, our health and fitness and the reestablishment of our management placement on the world stage but each of us can study from the instance that they have already established. We all know that all through the election process, Biden and Harris did not often concur, however with each other they will lead our nation.
For a state that was designed on the beliefs that all of us are developed equal and have a voice, it is obvious that we are continue to battling with these ideas above 200 a long time later on. It takes place to me that the biggest reward we have gotten from these two leaders is reminding us that forgiveness and kindness could just be the finest of American values.
Emily Weiss
Founder and Main Govt Officer, Glossier
The Biden administration desires to consider both equally rapid and extended-phrase action to assist American people and renovate our child-treatment infrastructure. Although no 1 in this nation has been untouched by the pandemic, the burden on moms, and specifically mothers of shade, has been unbearable. Via university and day-care closures and the change to virtual discovering, moms across the state are shouldering an unbelievable excess weight, typically acquiring to make unattainable possibilities. Some are balancing boy or girl care though continuing to work, other folks have had no choice but to lessen their hours or leave their employment altogether. Considering that February, around 2 million girls have still left the workforce, and the occupation numbers from December by itself are staggering: girls accounted for 100 percent of web occupation losses that month. And the story goes past gender: Black and Latina girls, who are drastically additional likely to get the job done in sectors that lack compensated depart or distant operate possibilities, misplaced jobs whilst white gals manufactured over-all gains.
This pandemic has already turned again the clock on several years of tricky-received development in the workplace, with some indicating this may possibly established women back a generation. We can not enable that take place. As business enterprise leaders, we have a position to play here, adopting progressive policies to assist and make overall flexibility for people for the period of the pandemic and past. But ultimately, we need to have swift and decisive motion from the new administration, acknowledging that there is no path to financial restoration without the need of addressing the demands of women of all ages, especially ladies of coloration, by a radical energy to increase baby treatment and help households.
Sharon Chuter
Main Govt Officer, Uoma Splendor, and Founder, Pull Up for Modify
I am complete of hope for the Biden/Harris presidency. The appointments to day have been promising, and I’m wanting forward to viewing extra appointments. They are coming on-board at an unbelievably difficult time in America’s history and definitely need to tackle these significant difficulties head on.
1st, is COVID-19 and the rising scenarios in America. The vaccine roll-out has currently been marred with scandal and experiences of much less vaccines readily available than in the beginning expected. America so far has dropped the initial fight with COVID-19 with far more than 400,000 fatalities in a lot less than a calendar year. This wants to be a essential concentration for the administration and a top rated priority about all the things else.
Racial equality—this one particular is closest to my coronary heart. The financial inequalities and social injustices plaguing the Black group are a pandemic in America. The place is bitterly divided, but human legal rights need to hardly ever be a discussion. The difficulties struggling with the Black group are extremely sophisticated and there is no very simple resolution.
It is very important that a fee is shaped and is very well-funded to start off to tackle these troubles as a priority—Black unemployment wants to be resolved and the EEOC is just not ample. Law enforcement and felony justice reforms, investment in Black communities and in Black businesses—we know Black founders are normally overmentored and underinvested. We have been passive about these issues for significantly too long and it desires to be a precedence. It’s time for action. The us can not get till all citizens gain alongside one another.
Lezlee Westine, President and Main Executive Officer
Personal Treatment Items Council
As the primary trade affiliation for the attractiveness and private-care solutions sector, the Personalized Treatment Products and solutions Council congratulates President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their historic victory. We appear ahead to doing the job in partnership with their administration and Congress to improve our member companies’ skill to carry on to provide secure and innovative goods that enhance the nicely-becoming of a great number of American people who rely on and get pleasure from individuals goods each individual day.
Partnerships are key to acquiring significant options. Partnerships can unify the region, handle COVID-19 and conquer the quite a few worries in making sure a protected and healthful citizenry, spur the overall economy, build work and assistance get The united states moving and working again. I experienced the privilege of working in govt for several several years. I noticed to start with-hand what takes place when folks come jointly and get the job done toward a popular purpose. PCPC’s member providers function collaboratively with coverage makers, regulators and NGOs to obtain typical ground on concerns vital to our sector, especially in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, we engaged the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration and Congress to problem temporary assistance making it possible for nontraditional companies to address the essential shortage of hand sanitizers. Our customers immediately transformed production traces and amplified generation to give these vital merchandise. Companies labored collaboratively with federal and point out governments to deliver and donate extra than 20 million units of hand sanitizer to hospitals, local community clinics, clinical and unexpected emergency industry experts, initially responders and market staff members, and manufactured them out there to retail shoppers. This could not have happened with no all those significant partnerships.
Our advocacy endeavours at the federal, condition and area amounts (and globally) offer an outstanding possibility to husband or wife with nontraditional companies who share in our values and aims. Our partnerships are diversified and deep. We supported antidiscrimination legislation throughout the U.S. as a member of the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open Environment for Natural Hair) Coalition. We worked with physicians, health and fitness and parents’ teams to advocate for legislation to make it possible for sunscreens in educational facilities across the nation. We advocated internationally for trade policy and international regulatory harmonization. In a historic energy, we joined with the Humane Modern society of the United States to guidance legislation banning cosmetic animal tests in the U.S. These partnerships are important to our industry’s continued achievements.
As President Biden mentioned, “To are living jointly and do the job together. Which is how I see The usa. That is how I see the presidency, and that is how I see the potential.” We are energized by the Biden administration’s determination to partnerships. No matter whether it is American business enterprise, global relations or confronting the a lot of social worries ahead, PCPC and its member organizations stand ready to assistance President Biden, Vice President Harris and our country’s future.
Anthony Saniger
Founder, Conventional Dose
As President Biden arrives into workplace, the local climate disaster should be the leading priority of the administration. This is an challenge that is very vital to me individually, and some thing that we at Conventional Dose are deeply devoted to addressing. Earth leaders require to act urgently to tackle local weather modify. We ought to rejoin the Paris Weather Accords, and President Biden demands to concentration on employing systemic reform policies devoted to protecting the planet and its assets. I would adore to see a detailed environmental plan with federal, state and area parts.
Over and above rejoining the accords, there should be much larger limitations on large oil, and incentives for corporations who shift their procedures to be extra environmentally acutely aware. The administration requirements to consider about how we can incentivize these providers from a tax standpoint to make the elements of their business enterprise a lot more sustainable. Sustainable processes during the supply chain should be inspired with these incentives and organizations ought to be held accountable for adhering to procedures that damage the long term of our planet.
When corporations are incentivized to come to be additional sustainable, it will be extra than just all those who are educated and passionate about environmental problems who make an effects. Under a design like this, we can commence to see authentic alter.
Gregg Renfrew
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Beautycounter
A very little over a year back, I appeared before the Residence Committee on Electricity and Commerce to explain to Members of Congress why reforming our outdated laws governing particular-treatment merchandise security is essential to public well being. Given that then, a pandemic has ravaged the country, and health and safety is on our minds a lot more than ever. As we enter the new administration, President Biden should prioritize the perfectly-being of all Americans by not only using swift action on COVID-19, but through supporting common sense laws to stop unnecessary exposure to harmful ingredients in personal-care and magnificence products.
The truth of the matter is, guidelines governing private-treatment solutions are largely unchanged given that the Globe War II period and in comparison with the European Union and Canada, the U.S. lags considerably behind in limiting hazardous elements. People are suitable to be wary mainly because the federal Food items and Drug Administration does not have the capacity to remember unsafe solutions.
A single case in point was uncovered in 2019 when makeup merchandise specially promoted to children and teens had been uncovered to consist of asbestos, a identified carcinogen. As a mom, this is unacceptable and why our advocacy for cosmetics reform is so vital.
Another trouble confronting our market is entry to safer personalized-care merchandise by communities of shade. When Black, Latinx and Asian gals devote a lot more than females of other ethnicities on natural beauty solutions, reports clearly show that goods specific to this population in fact have extra elements of problem. This suggests that they are at an amplified hazard for exposure to ingredients that compromise their health and fitness, an problem that has been made very clear by the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 for Black, Indigenous and Individuals of Shade (BIPOC).
While speedy action to protect against the unfold of COVID-19 have to be at the best of President Biden’s agenda, prioritizing general public well being legislation with bipartisan guidance will have positive long-time period impacts for Us citizens. We also know that Congress can get issues finished, particularly when coverage added benefits each individuals and our financial state. Much more and much more natural beauty companies are subsequent Beautycounter’s direct in proactively applying harmless ingredients but we have to have the federal governing administration to stage in to make sure a stage taking part in industry and baseline protections for buyers.
Debbie Perelman
Main Government Officer, Revlon
At Revlon, we think that very good company tactics coupled with a tradition of robust ethics are the underpinnings to a potent and profitable business. We believe that this stays genuine for a strong and united place.
On Wednesday, the Biden-Harris administration unveiled its instant priorities, which provided containing the COVID-19 pandemic, advancing diversity and inclusion and tackling local climate adjust. I’m delighted that the Biden-Harris administration is targeted on addressing these vital challenges, as these priorities align with quite a few of Revlon’s individual.
My leading precedence has and proceeds to be the health and fitness, protection and wellbeing of our group customers, so it is reassuring that the administration has produced the dealing with of the COVID-19 crisis a top rated priority.
In addition to addressing the COVID-19 disaster, we are grateful the Biden-Harris administration values the significance of variety and inclusion. At Revlon, we prioritize making a various, respectful and inclusive place of work and imagine championing an inclusive culture is critical to our collective good results. We feel this is also true for our place — an inclusive lifestyle will develop a additional profitable country. We continue on to function toward setting up a dynamic place of work and developing a lifestyle the place persons of all backgrounds come alongside one another to do their finest function.
The administration is also focused on empowering “businesses to guide a thoroughly clean electricity revolution” and Revlon continues to take proactive steps toward producing goods that minimize their influence on the ecosystem and updating our source chain to secure our natural assets for potential generations.
On Jan. 20, when Vice President Kamala Harris dealt with the nation standing in front of the Washington Memorial she explained, “We shoot for the moon and plant our flag on it. We are bold, fearless and formidable.” At Revlon, our ethos is currently being daring and assured by means of fearless self expression. We create our elegance merchandise to encourage and empower and we consider that how we carry out organization matters just as substantially as the results we attain. We try to embody our values of innovation, collaboration, accountability and inclusion. We are energized that the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities align with ours and believe that if the Administration stays fully commited to these immediate priorities, in partnership with the enterprise group, then we will become a more robust, much more united, nation.