The global beauty industry is undergoing a profound transformation. From reduced-plastic packaging and clean ingredients to carbon footprint management across supply chains and digitised customer experiences, companies are no longer expected to deliver just “beauty” — they are being asked to deliver solutions.

At this pivotal moment, Ulta Beauty — one of the largest beauty retailers in the United States — has appointed Kecia Steelman as CEO. A long-time leader in operations and customer experience, Steelman rose from within the company. Her deep understanding of the brand and leadership in digital and retail transformation have positioned her as a key figure in ushering Ulta into its next chapter.

“True leadership is recognising responsibility in times of change, and standing by your values when challenges arise. Sustainability isn’t just a goal — it’s a mindset we commit to living out every day through action.”

Rising from Within to Carry the Baton of Transformation

Kecia Steelman joined Ulta Beauty in 2014, serving as Chief Operating Officer and President before being appointed CEO in 2025, succeeding Dave Kimbell. Her promotion marked a rare instance of a woman rising from within to lead the company at its highest level — a milestone in Ulta’s history.

Her appointment was not a surprise, but rather a strategic continuation. Steelman led the successful partnership between Ulta and Target, placing the brand in over 500 Target locations. She also played a key role in reshaping the supply chain and enhancing digital experiences in the wake of the pandemic, reinforcing Ulta’s position in the market.

“Dave laid the foundation for growth. My role now is to shape Ulta into a brand of impact and purpose,” she explained, underscoring her leadership philosophy as one rooted in “balancing operational excellence with human-centred care.”

Enhancing Data-Driven Strategies to Make Beauty More “Everyday and Personal”

To Kecia Steelman, beauty is no longer a distant luxury — it has become a “daily choice” deeply connected to consumers’ emotions and values.

She has championed Ulta’s use of advanced data analytics to better understand member behaviour, leveraging digital platforms and the Ulta-Target co-branded card programme to deliver highly personalised product recommendations. The results speak for themselves: members who linked their Target accounts spent, on average, twice as much as regular customers.

“We help customers discover beauty that truly fits them — in places they already feel at home,” Steelman explains. For her, this marks the future of retail: a shift from purely transactional models to experience-driven, relationship-focused engagement.

Sustainable Beauty: More Than Packaging, It’s a Core Business Commitment

“Greenwashing should never be the face of sustainability.” Kecia Steelman speaks candidly about the challenges facing the beauty industry today.

Under her leadership, Ulta is deepening its Conscious Beauty programme — a certification initiative that spans five key pillars: clean ingredients, recyclable packaging, cruelty-free standards, social responsibility, and transparency. Steelman is also strengthening partnerships with suppliers to improve carbon visibility and material recovery across the value chain. “Our goal isn’t to outperform others — it’s to make sustainability the industry standard.”

Looking ahead, Ulta plans to launch its first international store in Mexico by the end of 2025, bringing its sustainability mission to new markets. From low-carbon logistics to optimised packaging, Steelman encourages her team to weigh the environmental cost of every decision with a global mindset.

Diversity and Inclusion: Shifting from “Who Can Be Beautiful” to “Everyone Is Beautiful”

The transformation led by Steelman extends well beyond products and operations. At the core of her leadership is a firm commitment to DEI — diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has actively increased representation of diverse backgrounds in hiring and encourages Ulta’s brand partners to reflect more inclusive perspectives in their advertising.

“Our customers come from every skin tone, gender, age, and economic background — each of them deserves to see themselves reflected in beauty.”

Under her leadership, Ulta has also expanded its investments in men’s skincare and holistic wellness, pushing the boundaries of the traditional beauty market. For Steelman, this isn’t just a business decision — it’s a cultural investment in the future.

The Future of Leadership: Empathetic Strategy and Values-Driven Vision

For Kecia Steelman, leadership is no longer defined by control and efficiency — it is about connection, values, and understanding. She has publicly stated that while leadership of the past relied on commands and rigid structures, the future demands value-driven decisions and the ability to adapt to constant change.

She believes that in today’s market and societal climate, companies shouldn’t strive for perfect answers but rather learn to coexist with uncertainty, using clear values as a compass for decision-making. This philosophy is reflected in the management approach she promotes at Ulta Beauty — customer-centric, culture-led, and grounded in both operational flexibility and organisational resilience.

Under her guidance, Ulta has expanded beyond its core retail business into areas such as brand incubation, community engagement, and sustainability advocacy, positioning itself as a platform with cultural influence.

Steelman maintains that as consumer trends and industry pressures continue to evolve, businesses must consistently reassess their purpose — not just responding with products, but offering meaningful answers rooted in responsibility and shared values. Her vision is one of action-driven cultural renewal, reflecting the many layers of transformation facing today’s retail leaders.

“A company’s purpose isn’t just to respond to the market — it’s to make conscious choices for the future. We must lead, not follow, and create lasting value not only for customers and employees, but for the planet itself.”

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The post Kecia Steelman, CEO of Ulta Beauty: The Future of Beauty Is Not Just a Trend, but a Responsibility and a Call to Action first appeared on The Icons.

The COP28, scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates this year, has garnered international attention. 《The Icons》had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Gale T C Rigobert, Dean of Academics, University of St. Martin. She also is the former Deputy Political Leader of Saint Lucia United Workers Party, holding that position from 2013 to 2023, and the former Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations, and Sustainable Development of Saint Lucia, with responsibility for climate change.

Rising sea levels vs. island nations – a pressing issue

Bolivian President Luis Arce raised the provocative concept of “new carbon colonialism” during the COP26 conference. He argued that developed countries, while being major carbon emitters, simultaneously use “green” initiatives to gloss over the crisis and allow the capitalist system to expand. At the same time, they are reluctant to provide sufficient financial support and technology transfer to less developed countries with higher carbon emissions, all while imposing environmental restrictions in the name of “conservation.”

As a leader of a developing country, former Minister Rigobert sees high hopes for the participation of various nations in COP28, especially those island nations most affected by climate change. However, she emphasized her expectations for this year, stating, “In addition to further promoting the development of renewable energy sources, we also hope that these major carbon emitters can take concrete actions in terms of finance and technology transfer.”

Furthermore, former Minister Rigobert believes that COP28 will see greater involvement from civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and particularly youth organizations. She has consistently stressed the importance of inclusivity when addressing global environmental issues, emphasizing that everyone’s voice must be heard. She also welcomes increased public scrutiny because only when more eyes monitor governments and international corporations will they take a more serious stance on sustainability.

When discussing Saint Lucia, former Minister Rigobert expressed pride in the country’s unwavering commitment to addressing climate change, regardless of which political party is in power. She highly commended the government’s stable implementation of laws to combat climate change and shared her optimism about the increasing involvement of women in Saint Lucia, which aligns with SDGs5 on gender equality.

ESG should not be just top-down

During the interview, 《The Icons》asked how former Minister Rigobert views the integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) from a top-down perspective. She provided a novel perspective:

“Whether it’s top-down or bottom-up, the ultimate goal is the same – achieving ESG. Officials and scholars should not merely sit in ivory towers discussing this; they should consider whether the methods can be implemented on the ground. If the end goal is the same, why not combine both approaches?”

former Minister Rigobert emphasized that using just one strategy might not yield the desired results and that the importance of people’s perceptions is often overlooked when addressing socio-economic issues.

Finally, former Minister Rigobert shared with us, “I hope that global media continues to report on climate-related issues continuously, rather than only covering them when extreme events occur. This will raise public awareness and positively influence climate policies in various countries.”

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The post COP28 is Coming, Dr. Gale Rigobert, Dean of Academics, University of St. Martin: Renewable Energy is Imperative, Urging All Countries to Join Hands in Exploring the Path to Sustainable Development first appeared on The Icons.

Fashion Revolutionaries Transform Sustainability: Levi’s SecondHand and H&M’s LOOOP

Two legendary fashion businesses are creating waves with cutting-edge efforts that redefine the industry’s environmental effect as it embraces a dynamic transition toward sustainability. Levi’s innovative SecondHand program has swept the fashion industry. This innovative resale business gives clients the freedom to easily browse for used jackets and jeans online and gives them the option to trade in worn denim items for priceless store credit. Levi’s is foraying into the uncharted territory of resale by building on its history of creating enduring products and capitalizing on the attractiveness of vintage items, ushering in a new era of mindful consumerism.

On the other hand, H&M has started a spectacular adventure with LOOOP, a first-of-its-kind in-store system for recycling used clothing. This ground-breaking solution demonstrates H&M’s ongoing dedication to circular fashion by enabling customers to see how old apparel transforms into brand-new, usable products. The CEO of H&M, Helena Helmersson, said, “The Way Forward is Circularity,” during her significant trip to India in October 2022. With LOOOP, H&M becomes a leader in textile recycling and paves the way for sustainability across the board in the fashion industry.

Fashion’s New Frontier: Mylo Consortium’s Innovative Approach to Sustainable Luxury

Four prominent fashion powerhouses – Adidas, Stella McCartney, Lululemon, and Kering – have united under the banner of the Mylo Consortium. Their shared mission? To invest in the development of a bio-based alternative to leather, ingeniously crafted from mycelium, the subterranean network of mushrooms and fungi. This revolutionary approach to materials innovation is poised to redefine luxury fashion, demonstrating that sustainable practices can align seamlessly with style and luxury.

The material, Mylo, is described as a material that resembles leather in appearance and feel and may be made in any color. It is uncertain whether Kering will offer Gucci and Saint Laurent products made from mushrooms. In an exciting revelation, Bolt Threads CEO Dan Widmaier underlined the profound significance of the partnership, framing it as “an ongoing commitment to develop materials and products for a more sustainable future.” 

Stella McCartney further illuminated the cause, asserting, “Many people associate leather with luxury, but since the beginning, I always wanted to approach things differently because killing animals for the sake of fashion is quite simply not acceptable.”

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The post H&M CEO Helena Helmersson: The Way Forward is Circularity first appeared on The Icons.