LEADING LADY

"Sustainability and corporate social responsibility should no longer be a company’s point of difference," says Nancy. “It should be commonplace within every organization.” The word idealist comes to mind when you consider her work to date. The daughter of a social worker and a lawyer, and granddaughter of Sligo, Westmeath and Clare natives, Nancy grew up outside of New York City and attended law school. She went on to work with AIDS patients in prison in the city and with God's Love We Deliver, a leading non-profit helping people with chronic and terminal illnesses. She joined Estée Lauder Companies thirteen years ago to lead M·A·C’s AIDS Fund and she hasn’t looked back.

"With VIVA GLAM, you are not only purchasing a fabulous lipstick," Nancy explains, referencing the campaign which has raised €500 million for AIDS worldwide to date. "You are directly giving back to communities in need. Every cent of VIVA GLAM goes to fighting for equal rights and healthier futures for us all. By purchasing that lipstick, you are standing with us in our mission to support all ages, all races, all genders."

Today, as Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability at the company, Nancy oversees initiatives focusing on girls’ education at Bobbi Brown, community gardens at Jo Malone London, and ocean conservancy at La Mer. Has she witnessed a shift in customer attitudes when it comes to corporate responsibility in recent years? "We’re in the golden age of purpose,” she admits, “For the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in consumers associating themselves with brands who really serve a purpose, and it makes sense. Consumers want their hard-earned money to reflect their values so they are turning to brands with a strong mission beyond sales."

CHANGE YOUR LIPSTICK CHANGE A LIFE

For each sale of M.A.C Viva Glam Lipstick, the full recommended price (ex VAT) goes towards helping those affected by HIV and AIDS. With the proceeds of one lipstick, M.A.C Viva Glam funds...

• 254 Condoms
• 2 Safer Sex Kits
• 1 Rapid Oral HIV Tests
• 14 Pregnant women tested for HIV
• 2 Nights in a clean, safe place for one resident living with HIV/AIDS

For Nancy, building a sustainable and social conscience into a brand is the only way forward, and it's got to be a team effort. "At M·A·C, everyone from our corporate employees behind the scenes to our makeup artists to our spokespeople supports our mission," she shares, and with some of the world's favourite beauty brands under her wing, she agrees that the future of cleaner, better beauty has never been brighter, "I am so proud to see so many of our brands giving back in such impactful ways and using business to serve a greater purpose."

Support M·A·C Viva Glam’s campaign by purchasing a 25th anniversary Viva Glam lipstick in store, online or on The Brown Thomas App.

MORE TO READ

Did you know that there are many charitable and sustainable initiatives behind your favourite beauty brands? Find out more in Beauty that Cares.