Estee Lauder’s GC-turned-vice chair decided to retire

The Estée Lauder Companies (“ELC”) announced that Sara Moss (pictured), Vice Chairman, has made the decision to retire, effective July 1, 2023.

Sara’s outstanding career with The Estée Lauder Companies began in 2003 when she joined the organization as Executive Vice President and General Counsel, a position she served in until 2019 when she was promoted to Vice Chairman. A recognized thought leader, collaborative partner, and keen legal and business strategist, Sara served as a trusted advisor to the business, the Board of Directors and the Lauder Family throughout her tenure.

“Sara is an exceptional legal mind, a skilled advisor, a valued mentor, and a much-loved leader whose strategic insights, business acumen and sound judgment have contributed greatly to our company’s success,” said Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Her incredible character, steadfast integrity and deep empathy will be greatly missed across the organization.”

As General Counsel, Sara led the Global Legal function, as well as the Corporate Security function, during a period of enormous growth in the business and operations of ELC. She prioritized business acumen and dedicated lawyers to each brand, region and function to support the growth and protection of the enterprise with local relevance. Notably, she oversaw the function’s initial international expansion into Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, and collaborated closely with senior management and teams across the enterprise to execute many business-driving acquisitions, investments, and licenses of global luxury and prestige brands.

Sara has been a true champion of the company’s initiatives in Inclusion, Diversity and Equity and philanthropy. She was an inaugural member of the Diversity Council and the first Executive Sponsor of the Hispanic Connection Employee Resource Group. In 2019, she joined Jane Hertzmark Hudis, Executive Group Brand President, and Tracey T. Travis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, as Co-Executive Sponsor of the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN). She has been a Board member of the ELC Charitable Foundation since its inception.

Upon her promotion to Vice Chairman in 2019, Sara served as a senior advisor to Executive Management, the Board of Directors, and the Lauder Family, working on a wide range of matters to strategically support the company’s long-term sustainable success.

For the past three years, Sara also led the Social Impact pillar of the company’s integrated ESG strategy, including Women’s Advancement and Gender Equality, Racial Equity, Generational Diversity and Social Impact in China.