Changes are afoot at Haleon.
Following her departure from L’Oréal as president of the consumer products division for North America, Nathalie Gerschtein has been appointed chief executive officer U.S.A and president North America at Haleon. Lisa Paley, who previously held the role, will stay on at the company until May.
“I am honored to join Haleon as CEO U.S.A and president North America at such an important time for the company and the industry. Consumer health is at the heart of people’s lives, and Haleon has an incredible opportunity to make a meaningful difference by empowering people to take control of their health,” Gerschtein said. “What drives me is putting consumers at the center of everything we do, moving with agility to meet their evolving needs and leading with clarity and purpose to unlock growth. My passion for science and the belief in the power of innovation to improve lives will be at the core of how we shape the future. I look forward to working alongside such a talented team to build on the strong foundation already in place and lead the next phase of growth and impact in North America.”
The appointment marks a shift for Gerschtein into the health and wellness industry after nearly 23 years in beauty at L’Oréal across brands like L’Oréal Paris, Maybelline and Garnier. During her tenure, she had worked in several markets including France, India, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia and had overseen North America since 2022.
In an interview with WWD in 2023, Gerschtein emphasized the importance of what she calls the “growth zone,” a concept exemplified through her latest career move.
“If you are in your comfort zone all the time, you don’t do anything amazing, but if you are in the stress zone all the time, then you also don’t do anything amazing. You have to find your sweet spot,” she said at the time. “You have to remain in the growth zone.”
At Haleon, Gerschtein will work across oral health, pain relief, respiratory health, digestive health and VMS (vitamins, minerals and supplements) with brands like Advil and Sensodyne.
“Nathalie understands the dynamics of the North American market and the importance of combining data, consumer insight, and innovation to meet evolving customer needs,” said Haleon chief executive officer Brian McNamara in a statement. “Her experience leading complex organizations through change and driving operational excellence will be instrumental in guiding the North American business through its next phase of growth. I believe she will be an outstanding addition to our executive team.”
This news follows the appointment of Dawn Russell as chief financial officer of Haleon in November.
