Estée Lauder Companies vice chairman to retire

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Apr 25, 2023

The Estée Lauder Companies’ (ELC) vice chairman Sara Moss, is set to retire, as of July 1, the company announced on Tuesday. 

Moss first joined the company in 2003, as executive vice president and general counsel. She held the position until 2019 when she was promoted to vice chairman. 

As general counsel, Moss led the global legal function, as well as the corporate security function, during a period of enormous growth in the business and operations of ELC. Most notably, she oversaw the function’s initial international expansion into Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Meanwhile, as vice chairman, Moss served as a senior advisor to executive management, the board of directors, and the Lauder Family, working on a wide range of matters to strategically support the company’s long-term sustainable success.

“Sara is an exceptional legal mind, a skilled advisor, a valued mentor, and a much-loved leader whose strategic insights, business acumen and sound judgment have contributed greatly to our company’s success,” said Fabrizio Freda, president and CEO. “Her incredible character, steadfast integrity and deep empathy will be greatly missed across the organization.”

Moss is also credited for being a champion of the company’s initiatives in Inclusion, Diversity and Equity and philanthropy. She partnered closely with senior leaders across the organization to drive the company’s first Women’s Advancement and Gender Equality Strategy in 2019. 

For the past three years, she has also led the Social Impact pillar of the company’s integrated ESG strategy. Moreover, she has been a board member of the ELC Charitable Foundation since its inception.

“A trusted senior business advisor for many years, Sara has nurtured strong relationships within our global ELC family and across the wider industry,” added William Lauder, executive chairman. “It is with great appreciation, admiration, and respect that I say her dynamic leadership and expert guidance will be truly missed.”