Unlocking lasting and equitable economic access lies in addressing an often overlooked
challenge: deserts. Today, deserts are a pressing phenomenon affecting consumers across
critical sectors. In the United States alone, 121 million consumers live in healthcare
deserts, and nearly 54 million in food deserts. With a glaring lack of access to essential
goods and services across food and healthcare, it begs the question: what deserts
exist within beauty? Introducing an industry-first concept of beauty deserts, our
mission is to identify the unmet needs of consumers in deserts, create widespread
access to fundamental beauty products and services, and reignite our responsibility
to serve consumers of all socioeconomic strata.
Team Members
Shivani Banerji
Director of Marketing, Redken | L'Oréal USA
Shivani Banerji is a seasoned brand marketer with an international background. With
a global perspective spanning from New Delhi to New York, she specializes in crafting
brand strategies in the professional hair industry that resonate with consumers and
stylists alike. As a life-long learner, Banerji loves to read and travel.
Brandon Bernard
Senior Marketing Manager, La Roche-Posay | L'Oréal USA
Taking his passion for learning new things everywhere he goes, Brandon Bernard brings
this energy into everything he does. Whether finding new ways to deliver results for
La Roche-Posay or picking up a new book to learn a new skill, knowledge is his north
star inside and outside of work.
Sabina Gosto Dersh
AVP, Research & Innovation | L'Oréal USA
Sabina Gosto Dersh is a global beauty leader who uses her scientific expertise and
product knowledge to bring winning formulas to the market. A life long learner, she
is inspired by collaborating with others and seeing the world.
Kelsey Marie Galindo
Director, NPL Innovation Planning Center of Excellence | The Estée Lauder Companies
Kelsey Galindo is a beauty industry leader focused on global business transformation.
Embodying the blend of beauty and health, she is passionate about optimizing her overall
wellbeing. Skincare obsessed, Galindo will never miss a chance to chat about the latest
ingredient or newest product.
Monique Lachelle McKenzie
Executive Director, Global Public Relations | bareMinerals, BUXOM Cosmetics, and Laura
Mercier
Monique McKenzie, a beauty executive that never misses a chance to wear a red lip,
loves trying out new skincare and enjoys pilates, strength training, and spending
time in the sun. As an esthetician, she’s passionate about skin health—and wearing
SPF—and looks forward to building a beauty industry that makes you feel just as good
on the inside as it does on the outside.
Amanda Nieves
Senior Makeup Marketing Manager | CHANEL
A native New Yorker, Amanda Nieves lives life by channeling her energy into the world
of beauty. With a background in luxury, she aims to create memorable moments for clients
as they interact with the products and campaigns she works on, ultimately driving
performance for her brands. When she’s not working or learning something new, you
can find her at home playing her piano.
Lena Rubiano, a seasoned sales operations expert, has been driving strategic initiatives
to meet business goals in both domestic and international markets across fragrances,
skincare, and makeup. While she pursues a minimalist lifestyle, her love for beauty
products often challenges this commitment. What she enjoys the most are weekend brunches
with her daughter.
Mia Wilkowski
Trade Marketing Manager, Luxury Skincare | Coty Inc.
Mia Wilkowski is a passionate beauty enthusiast, possessing a wealth of knowledge
in organizing, implementing strategies, managing resources, and devising retail plans.
With background in both fragrance and skincare, she offers a deep insight into the
beauty sector and its dynamic trends. Wilkowski's strategic expertise and comprehensive
understanding render her indispensable for thriving in the continuously changing beauty
landscape.
