Over 45 leaders from the beauty ecosphere are scheduled to speak at the 2026 WWD Beauty CEO Summit, being held at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla., on May 11 to 13. From Fortune 500 executives to entrepreneurs to investment bankers, technologists, trend forecasters and retailers, they are the market makers who define the industry today.
That got us wondering — who inspires them and how? What are the healthy habits of high-functioning CEOs? What brands outside of beauty do they love and why? Here, from podcasts to protein-rich diets, how the 2026 cohort of speakers nurture their mind, body and spirit.
Stefanie von Albert, chief assortment and purchasing officer, Douglas Group
My go-to podcast is “Aspire with Emma Grede.” I love her go-getter attitude, the diversity of entrepreneurial stories and interesting topics and the dynamic conversations. What really resonates with me are the creative aspects and tangible insights about brands and businesses. I also love that she has a positively ambitious and unapologetic vibe that inspires me to go boldly after new ideas.
Christine Chang, co-CEO and cofounder, Glow Recipe
My AI engine of choice is Claude. Most recently, I asked it to create Mad Libs in Korean for my daughter, who is practicing the language ahead of her trip to Seoul this summer.
Wendy Franks, general manager, health and beauty, Amazon U.S. Stores
My go-to podcast is “The Moth.” The stories are unscripted and told live on stage, making them feel real and authentic, and I love the diversity of themes — any given episode could be poignant, hilarious or educational (or a mix of all three!).
Christopher Skinner, cofounder and chief growth officer, Front Row
I’m loving “Good Hang With Amy Poehler.” It strikes the perfect balance between thoughtful conversation and genuine humor. Amy has a way of making big ideas feel accessible, while still keeping things playful. It’s one of the few podcasts that consistently makes me both think and laugh.
Elena Lécué, chief marketing officer, Scentbird
My AI engine of choice is Claude, because of its seamless integration with my workspace. Today, I built an agent that scans my social media newsletters and delivers a digest and 10 social post ideas in my Slack every day at 9 am.
Sarah Lee, co-CEO and cofounder, Glow Recipe
My go-to podcast is “How I Built This With Guy Raz,” because I love hearing the stories behind brands and businesses that have broken through. The conversations are thoughtful and candid, offering valuable insights into resilience, leadership and growth. I always come away with something inspiring or practical to apply.
William Lauder, chairman, the Estée Lauder Cos.
My go-to podcast is “Acquired” because of how deeply it explores the foundations of great companies, their value systems, what motivates their founders and what drives long-term success. The level of research is extraordinary, yet it comes through as a thoughtful, engaging conversation. I tend to listen in snippets (at the gym, on a flight, in the car), so each episode becomes something I really sit with over time.
Lauren Mazzaferro, head of beauty, Amazon Ads
One of my go-to podcasts is “Armchair Expert” by Dax Shepard. It’s the perfect mix of humor and honest conversations with fascinating guests. I also love “Good Inside” by Dr. Becky. As a mom of three, it’s full of practical parenting insights I actually use every day.
Bettina O’Neill, executive vice president, business development, Scentbird
My go-to podcast is “Dare to Lead” with Brené Brown. Love her and her books too!
Simone Gibertoni, chief executive officer, Clinique La Prairie
The “Founders” podcast analyzes the lives of great entrepreneurs to extract practical lessons on building exceptional companies. It emphasizes obsession, long-term thinking, and founder-led vision as the core drivers of success. The key idea: Studying great founders is the fastest way to develop better judgment and build enduring businesses.
Sean Kim, CEO, Amorepacific
Samsung Galaxy. I currently use the latest Galaxy Fold. The larger screen makes tasks more comfortable, and it keeps up when I need to move fast between priorities. It fits quite well into the pace of how I work and live. I’ve followed the brand for years, initially because Samsung was my first workplace. But I remember being genuinely struck when their first foldable was introduced. Redefining a form factor of a product goes beyond incremental upgrades; it creates an entirely new category — and that kind of spirit is what draws me. I’ve also been drawn to the way the brand has evolved from a local player into a global one.
Carlos Huber, fragrance developer and founder, Arquiste
I’ve been a fan of Thorsun swimsuits for over 10 years. They’re hands-down the best-fitting trunks I’ve ever owned and their collab collection with Charvet has the best patterns. They feel like they have structure. Even when wet they look stylish.
Jean Guillaume Trottier, CEO, Biologique Recherche
Claude, create powerpoint based on attached memo.
What are your favorite brands outside of beauty and why?
Madeleine Boyd, global senior vice president, beauty and wellness, Together Group
I travel frequently, and navigating jet lag, multiple time zones and packed schedules takes its toll. Over time, I’ve become more intentional about rest, and now actively protect my sleep.
I prefer not to rely on melatonin too often, so when I first heard about the sleep supplement Rested by Diome, I was curious. After using it consistently for over a year, I can’t imagine going without it. It helps me recalibrate, sleep through the night and wake up feeling genuinely refreshed (and importantly, it’s melatonin-free).
For me, loyalty comes from trust and consistency. Having something reliable that travels with me and supports my well-being has become an essential evening ritual. It’s not just about better sleep, but about showing up properly, wherever I am.
Michael Clinton, founder and CEO, RoarForward
As a longtime marathon runner, my running shoe of choice is the Nike Pegasus. I’ve worn them for over 25 years and always have two or three in rotation. While I’m committed to the brand, I’d like to see more people over 50 in their advertising and marketing efforts. Active people over 50 are often times ignored by marketers in the fitness world.
Nata Dvir, chief merchandising officer, Macy’s
I’m loyal to Delta, because they understand that the experience is the product. Today any brand can compete on price or product, but very few earn real loyalty through service and experience. Delta does. That’s exactly the bar we set at Macy’s. We want every customer to walk away feeling like they were seen, taken care of and given an experience they couldn’t get anywhere else. That’s what elevated retail looks like.
David Seth Moltz, cofounder and perfumer, D.S. & Durga
I love Boglioli. They make perfect suits (that happen to fit me off the rack). Great materials. Pricing is fair for the quality offered. I like that their branding isn’t over the top. They seem to rest on their laurels of good quality, while staying up-to-date on trends that interest menswear enthusiasts. I love their DB peak collar suits — layered with my Grey Blazer fragrance, I’m ready to scale 300 percent year-over-year with a massively positive EBITDA on all P&Ls across the land!
Parham Aarabi, founder and CEO, Pre
I’m often impressed by Apple, because they’ve built a brand experience that feels consistently clear, intuitive and dependable, even as consumer attention shifts faster than ever. They don’t just launch products, they shape how people experience those products across every touch point. Today, loyalty comes from continuously optimizing the consumer’s experience, message and relevance.
Veronique Gabai Pinsky, founder, Veronique Gabai
Hermès wins, for timeless style and exceptional craft, which is very meaningful to me. In fashion, I turn to Saint Laurent and Vince for minimalist modern elegance, that still feels sensibly priced at a time of over-inflated positioning. Assouline is one of my cultural escapes, Apple my tech core and Nespresso my morning ritual. And when I travel, though I am still an explorer at heart, Cipriani or Paris Society properties are often a dinner go-to. Ultimately, these brands share one thing: trust and consistency, and an experience based on genuine service. You know what you will get and how you will get it. In a world more chaotic than ever, their permanence feels like a delightful moment of peace.
Jo Horgan, founder and co-CEO, Mecca
The Australian Open has become a carnival for all the people of Melbourne and indeed Australia, and it shows up so differently from the other grand slams so that it lights up the screens of tennis lovers globally. It is customer- and player-obsessed and as a result is the most loved tennis event globally. It never accepts the status quo, challenging itself to change at least 50 percent of its offer every year ,and so it continues to wow us each and every time. Mecca had a three-story pink palace of beauty at the Open this year as part of a collaboration and we are loving the process of dreaming up something bigger and bolder for next year!
Mazdack Rassi, cofounder and president, Milk Makeup
I’m consistently loyal to Burton Snowboards, because the brand has always stood for something bigger than the sport or its products. It’s about its community and pushing culture forward. Even as trends move quickly, Burton stays authentic to its roots while continuing to innovate. That balance of purpose and progression is what keeps people coming back and sets it apart for the next generation.
Jeannette Smits van Oyen, global head of consumer and retail investment banking, J.P. Morgan
I would say Apple, of course, British Airways a close second and is it too cheeky to nominate Pol Roger as my third!? I am also a bonafide longtime loyal consumer of French table- and cookware brands, Le Creuset and Pillivuyt. Some pieces are handed down from my childhood, so there is an element of nostalgia, but both brands are also synonymous with quality and have a timeless of aesthetic.
Kimberly Villatoro, CEO, Patrick Ta Beauty
Oscar de la Renta is a brand I deeply admire for its ability to honor its heritage while continuing to feel modern and relevant. Being part of the brand’s 60th anniversary show in the Dominican Republic, with Patrick leading the makeup, made that even more meaningful. It honored the legacy and heritage of Oscar de la Renta, while celebrating the brand’s cultural roots and evolution. In today’s fast-moving landscape, I’m drawn to brands that lead with authenticity while honoring their roots. That kind of integrity is what creates longevity.
James Hart, president, YipitData
Blue Bottle Coffee. As an Australian, coffee is a daily ritual and I make espresso at home most mornings. I have their bean subscription, which is freshly roasted and delivered each week, and their quality is consistently great. In a world where brands come and go quickly, it’s this reliability that keeps me loyal.
Alicia Yoon, founder and CEO, Peach & Lily
I love Coyuchi, a brand that fills our linen closet and is draped across our beds and couches. Their fabrics are beautiful, made from organic fibers and comfortable on the skin. Everything is easy to care for and built to last, with a commitment to fair trade and sustainability. Each Coyuchi piece feels intentional and special, elevating even the smallest moments of the day.
Herrish Patel, president, Unilever USA, and CEO, Personal Care, North America
Nike has mastered something incredibly difficult in today’s attention economy: creating a brand that feels timeless while staying culturally relevant. They’re rightly known for inspiring a sense of inner confidence and strength that connects to who you want to be and your own superpowers. It’s meaningful to me that it’s a brand shared across generations, being equally loved by my daughters and by me. That’s the mark of enduring brand loyalty.
Health and Well-being
How do you prioritize your health and well-being while leading a business during incredibly volatile and complex times?
Bianca Anghelina, founder and CEO, Aily Labs
Wherever I land — New York, Paris, Barcelona, San Francisco, Munich — I run. The routine is non-negotiable. Staying active and in movement is what keeps me physically strong and mentally three steps ahead. Some of my sharpest, most creative decisions have surfaced mid-run. High energy isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s how I lead, and it’s a standard I hold for my entire team. At Aily, we’ve built that into our culture: Through our aily.fit program, we make it possible for every employee to stay active physically and mentally, wherever they are globally.
Pierre-Loïc Assayag, cofounder and CEO, Traackr
I’m French and our universal longevity relies on a healthy dose of wine, slow cooking and sharing time with loved ones. Exercise of all forms is crucial to me; I try to prioritize movement every day. I’m also a consumer and am constantly trying the recommendations of our creators.
Dr. Jason B. Diamond, M.D., F.A.C.S., founder, Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Skincare and the Diamond Facial Institute
Discipline.
At least 90 percent of the benefits of my routine are directly related to hard work and consistency, i.e. diet, exercise and sleep hygiene. My diet is protein dominant with great effort taken to minimize processed foods, alcohol and refined sugar. I’m active daily, and my exercise routine involves resistance training with weights as well as Zone 2 cardio, essential for fat burning, and HIIT. My sleep schedule involves rising and going to bed at a consistent time as many days as I can while trying to get eight hours as often as I can.
I would say that 5 percent of the benefits of my routine come from physiologic stress therapies — sauna, cold plunge and breath work — which do involve exercising mental resilience and strengthening neuroplasticity.
The remaining 5 percent of the benefits of my routine can be placed into the “biohacking” category, loosely speaking, involving an array of supplements and peptides.
Virginie Courtin, managing director, Clarins
Living longer and healthier is the definition of longevity. Thanks to the medical background of my grandfather and uncle, I’ve known for a long time that we can influence our longevity through small daily actions. There are five lifestyle pillars I always have in mind: healthy nutrition, regular exercise, restful sleep, low stress and spending time with my family and friends.
Regarding skin longevity, back in 2008, Clarins was first to tackle one of the longevity biological mechanisms, preserving skin microcirculation and nerve endings.
Since then, we have explored 10 out of the 12 identified mechanisms involved in skin longevity such as epigenetic alterations, altered intercellular communication or oxyinflamageing, and we are leveraging our expertise in botanical science combined with tech molecules such as peptides or biotech collagen to counteract those damaging factors and improve skin health and well-being.
Larissa Jensen, senior vice president and global beauty industry adviser, Circana
I keep my approach to health and longevity pretty simple with a good old‑fashioned gym routine that combines a mix of weight training and cardio to keep me feeling balanced. I also focus on getting enough protein and taking supplements that support healthier aging. While peptide stacking and microbiome mapping are having their moment, I always joke that I’m just “in training to be old,” because I know I’ll need all the core strength and hip flexibility I can get!
Danessa Myricks, founder and CEO, Danessa Myricks Beauty
I think about longevity as alignment. It means making sure my body, mind and spirit are working together, and listening closely to what my body needs in different seasons of my life so I can continue showing up creatively and purposefully for the long term. I prioritize hydration, restorative sleep and movement that feels supportive rather than punishing. I am also very intentional about protecting my mental clarity. Creating space for quiet thinking, reflection and creativity is essential to how I lead and innovate.
With the advancements in technology and the availability of information, I’ve made several practices core to my daily routine. Red light therapy has become deeply integrated into my wellness routine because of its impact on mitochondrial function, inflammation, cellular repair, circulation and brain function. I’ve incorporated red-light therapy throughout my beauty routine, hair routine, workout routine, sleep routine and even into my daily office environment, with my office chair supported by a red-light therapy mat.
There is also compelling evidence around the impact of dry sauna use on lowering mortality risk, with as little as 20 minutes per session, two to seven times per week, showing benefits. I often stack 20 minutes of hot sauna with red-light therapy as part of my weekly wellness rhythm. This is paired with daily movement, including walking, Pilates, and weight training as well as a high-protein diet that’s free of sugar and alcohol.
Chris Sanderson, cofounder, The Future Laboratory
Eat less and better.
Drink less and better.
Train shorter and harder.
Dr. Muneeb Shah, founder and board-certified dermatologist, Remedy
As a dermatologist, my foundation is pretty unglamorous: good sleep, consistent exercise, a real diet and sunscreen every single day. For my skin care, I treat my own skin the same way I treat my patients in clinic. I’m not doing Botox every three months or chasing every wrinkles/smile line; I space out my neuromodulators and do one solid resurfacing procedure a year. Longevity is about setting realistic, achievable goals and then doing the right things consistently, over a long period of time.
Patrick Ta, cofounder, Patrick Ta Beauty
It always starts from within. My routine is pretty simple — supporting my skin through nutrition, staying consistent with small daily habits like adding Vital Proteins collagen peptides to my coffee, and making time to reset when I can. When you feel balanced and energized, it shows in your skin and energy. Makeup just enhances what’s already there.
Michelle Peluso, CEO, Revlon Inc.
Nothing beats playing with joy — take work seriously, but yourself lightly. That extends to family and my wide circle of girlfriends, too. Lots of laughter and playing with joy, even in the hardest of moments, truly bolsters well-being! That and plenty of Elizabeth Arden ceramide capsules keep me glowing and at my best!
Pierre Dupreelle, managing director and partner, global beauty sector leader, BCG
As the leader of the beauty sector at BCG, I feel a bit obligated to try just about every new treatment and option out there — so my routine leans pretty disciplined: early mornings, lots of workouts, eating light and tracking nearly everything (sometimes more than necessary). I’ve tested plenty on the experimental side, too, from weight management and biomarker tracking to medical aesthetics. It’s a constant struggle, though — trying to stay in control without optimizing the fun out of life.
Peri Edelstein, managing director and senior partner, North America consumer practice leader, BCG
I prioritize my sleep — avoiding caffeine in the afternoon, keeping my electronics away — but recently I’ve also found that taking medication helps. At first I was resistant but my endocrinologist encouraged me to give it a try. I also take a variety of peptides and hormones to address my needs. It’s made a huge difference for me.
