Somer Tejwani and Michelle Shigemasa assume senior leadership as part of corporate changes
Key Takeaways:
- Estée Lauder Cos. has made leadership changes across its California-based brands, Too Faced, Smashbox, and Glamglow.
- Somer Tejwani has been appointed senior vice president and global general manager at Too Faced, effective January 1, 2024.
- Michelle Shigemasa returns to Smashbox as senior vice president and global general manager for Smashbox and Glamglow, effective immediately.
- Both Tejwani and Shigemasa will report to Stéphane de La Faverie, Estée Lauder’s executive group president.
- These changes are part of broader restructuring at Estée Lauder, following recent layoffs and the planned retirements of several top executives.
Estée Lauder Cos. has announced significant leadership changes for its California-based brands, naming Somer Tejwani and Michelle Shigemasa to key executive positions. These changes come as part of broader restructuring efforts across the company, which has seen a series of leadership shifts, including planned retirements of top executives.
Somer Tejwani has been appointed senior vice president and global general manager at Too Faced, effective January 1, 2024. Tejwani previously served as the senior vice president of global marketing at Too Faced and has been with the brand since 2012, before its acquisition by Estée Lauder. Reflecting on her new role, Tejwani stated, “I look forward to scaling our strengths to accelerate growth and unlock our full potential while continuing to enhance brand equity and nurture creativity and innovation across the business.”
Michelle Shigemasa returns to Estée Lauder as senior vice president and global general manager for Smashbox and Glamglow, effective immediately. Shigemasa previously held various leadership roles at Smashbox from 2004 to 2017 before leaving the company. She most recently served as CEO for brands like Murad skincare and r.e.m. beauty. “I’m committed to positioning and transforming Smashbox and Glamglow for long-term success by driving disruptive innovation in product and services, strengthening brand equity and delivering operational excellence,” Shigemasa stated.
Both Tejwani and Shigemasa will report directly to Stéphane de La Faverie, executive group president of Estée Lauder. Commenting on the appointments, de La Faverie said,
Somer and Michelle will bring invaluable knowledge and deep expertise in driving innovation across our leading portfolio of iconic hero products. Together, they will help propel these brands by elevating their brand equity, inspiring creativity, and enhancing consumer engagement.”
These leadership changes come after a challenging year for the three brands, which faced layoffs and reductions in their international operations. The restructuring is part of a broader adjustment at Estée Lauder, as the company navigates executive transitions, including the planned retirements of CEO Fabrizio Freda and CFO Tracey T. Travis.
The moves signal a strategic effort to stabilize and grow Too Faced, Smashbox, and Glamglow, as Estée Lauder seeks to improve its position in the competitive beauty industry.