L'Oréal Appoints Marissa Pagnani McGowan as Chief Sustainability Officer for North America

L’ORÉAL USA APPOINTS MARISSA PAGNANI McGOWAN AS 

CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER FOR NORTH AMERICA 

The appointment comes as the beauty leader builds on its global L’Oréal for the Future sustainability transformation

NEW YORK, NY (October 21, 2021) – L’Oréal USA today announced the appointment of Marissa Pagnani McGowan as Chief Sustainability Officer for North America, effective November 2021. In this newly created position, McGowan will report to L’Oréal USA President & CEO Stéphane Rinderknech, who oversees L’Oréal‘s North America zone. She will also join the US management committee and the leadership team of L’Oréal‘s global Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, Alexandra Palt.

McGowan comes to L’Oréal from PVH Corp, one of the world’s largest global apparel companies, where she most recently served as Chief Sustainability Officer. At PVH, she led a global team responsible for the inception and implementation of PVH’s Corporate Responsibility strategy. This work included priorities across environmental sustainability, human rights, social impact, responsible business practices, transparency, and fostering diversity, inclusion, and equity throughout the supply chain. She started her career as a lawyer focused on international mergers and acquisitions and corporate compliance with Skadden Arps in New York and London. She received undergraduate and law degrees from Georgetown University.

“Marissa brings to her sustainability work a passion for the power of partnerships and collective action. She has an impressive track record of building sustainable business platforms and embedding sustainability principles into every part of a business,” said Stéphane Rinderknech, President & CEO, L’Oréal USA and Executive Vice President, North America. “We aim to drive a complete transformation of our business – to be a leader and catalyst of change in the beauty sector and beyond.I firmly believe that we must act with even more urgency to address the social and environmental needs of the planet while preparing our business to meet the opportunities of our dynamic market.”

“I am excited and honored to join L’Oréal, a company that I have long admired for its rich history and continued growth through keeping innovation, the consumer and responsibility at the center of its business,” said Marissa Pagnani McGowan. “My passion for the beauty industry, like the fashion sector, stems from its humanity and creativity, which together create a powerful opportunity to influence positive change. I look forward to stewarding the sustainability work as part of L’Oréal USA’s next growth chapter, and to driving meaningful progress on the L’Oréal for the Future transformation journey.”

L’Oréal for the Future, the company’s 10-year sustainability transformation strategy, embodies the two complementary dimensions of corporate responsibility: transforming the company towards an increasingly sustainable business model, and contributing to solving the challenges facing the world. As part of that, the company set bold, measurable targets for 2030 on climate, water, biodiversity and natural resources, in accordance with what scientific experts demand. 

For more information about L'Oréal’s sustainability strategy, visit: https://www.loreal.com/en/commitments-and-responsibilities/for-the-planet/. 

About L'Oréal USA

L'Oréal USA is the largest subsidiary of the L'Oréal Group, the world’s leading beauty company. Through its management of over 35 iconic beauty brands, L’Oréal USA has generated more than $7 billion in sales annually. Products are available across all distribution channels including hair salons, department stores, mass market, pharmacies, medi-spas, e-commerce and more. L’Oréal USA’s commitment to growth is generated through sustainable innovation and driven by the company’s L’Oréal for the Future ambition which demonstrates sustainable development across the Group’s value chain. The company is headquartered in New York City, employs more than 11,000 people, and operates administrative, research, manufacturing and distribution facilities across 16 states.