1. You’ve spent your career building and transforming leading consumer brands. What core principles have guided your approach to driving growth and innovation over time?

I feel fortunate to have had such a long and varied career in consumer products and have settled into a set of beliefs that allow me to enter different businesses with a tested perspective on leading and driving a growth transformation.

At the center of it all is the conviction that you must lead a business and an organization in unison; when one gets ahead of the other, it creates inefficiencies, misalignment, and a disengaged workforce. In most cases, what you do is often very evident, but it is how you do it that lands the successful transformation.

It is imperative that there is a clear vision for the company that is embedded and clearly understood. This allows the organization to digest the changes that must occur to move from the moment to the future vision. Sharing this vision and path ahead with transparency allows all to own the new needed outcomes and adjustments along the way. Vision, transparency, and authenticity create the opportunity for a healthy, sustainable transformation and an exciting, successful future.

2. Conair is a household name with a long legacy. During your time as CEO, how have you approached honoring that history while shaping its next chapter?

I have spent much of my career going into businesses and brands that others have built, and my job has always been to transform the business for the future. Conair has a rich and meaningful history, and it is that legacy that has and will enable our success. The magic lies in putting that legacy in the context of the future, not the past. Often, companies look so fondly on the past – with comfort in the belief that was created – that they become anchored in all that was. It’s critical to find the true ethos of the company and articulate it in a way that enables the future.

At Conair, we are a family of brands operating across beauty and culinary. We create confidence and connection for consumers all over the world.

3. Looking back on your leadership journey, was there a pivotal moment or role that changed how you saw yourself as a leader?

There was not a moment, but rather a tool/skill that has been pivotal in my career. I learned to provide and take feedback incredibly well. I believe feedback is a gift because it is a roadmap for improving or advancing your goals. Leadership is incredibly personal and usually quite lonely. Being curious and open to feedback allows you to continue learning along the way. Giving feedback, when done with grace and empathy, can create a level of connection and trust that is hard to match. I have been very fortunate to have strong followership throughout my career, and I believe my open and honest orientation to feedback has made that possible.

4. What does mentorship look like in practice to you – both seeking it out in your career and offering it now as a CEO?

Mentorship in a professional environment can be challenging because trust and objectivity must be established before the relationship can flourish – and that takes time. It also needs to be designed so there is not a reporting relationship for it to be a “safe” dialogue. I have seen beautiful mentor success, and it takes time and commitment from both sides.

I find learning how to be a great “coach” is equally as beneficial. Mentors are often better positioned to offer advice, while coaches help you find solutions and navigate the path forward. I have had so many great bosses, coaches, and mentors in my career, and each has offered an enduring lesson that continues to shape how I lead, learn, and grow today.

5. What advice would you give to your younger self?

This is always such a great question. Most importantly, have fun – do things you love, and surround yourself with people from whom you can learn.

One thing I wish I had learned earlier was to be “perfectly imperfect.” I spent a lot of time early in my career working to be “right” or “great,” and that can sometimes put you on the defensive. I have found that being open, accepting that things are not perfect, and embracing vulnerability and new learning creates an exciting path forward. There are many paths to success and problem-solving. Once you learn that, so many doors open.