The Estée Lauder Companies Recognizes 14 Employees from around the World with the Third Annual Leonard A. Lauder Volunteer of the Year Awards

Award Recipients Now Spanning Seven Countries and Six Regions

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 25, 2013– The Estée Lauder Companies proudly announces the winners of the Third Annual Leonard A. Lauder Volunteer of the Year Awards, which have expanded globally, recognizing 14 employees in seven countries and six regions for their significant personal commitments to their communities through volunteerism. The categories include: Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Leader of the Year, along with two new Award categories: Volunteer Team of the Year and Recognition for Outstanding Community Service. Each of these Award categories recognizes The Estée Lauder Companies’ employees who have demonstrated exceptional service to their communities in unique and impactful ways, consistent with the longstanding values of the Company. The primary non-profit partner supported by the award winners will receive a $2,500 equivalent donation in recognition of this honor.

The Leonard A. Lauder Volunteer of the Year Award is given globally for outstanding commitment to volunteerism that has made a significant impact on the community. This year’s recipients are:


  • Phillip Ing, Vice President, International Special and Retail Events, M∙A∙C Cosmetics, Toronto, of the North America region for his work with AIDS Committee of Toronto
  • Natthaya Kanokmethapong, Clinique Area Manager, Northern Region of Thailand, of the Asia Pacific region for her work with the Prostheses Foundation of H.R.H. the Princess Mother
  • Sue Knight, Internet/Returns/Reworks Supervisor, Kites Croft, UK for her work with Havant & District Mencap
  • Farrah Marin-Serralta, Marketing Administrator for Aramis and Designer Fragrances, Aveda, GoodSkin Labs and Lab Series, Travel Retail Americas, of the Travel Retail division for her work with charity: water
  • Ma. Teresa Cuéllar Molina, National Sales Manager, M∙A∙C Cosmetics, México, of the Latin America region for her work with Mi Ultimo Deseo (My Last Wish)
  • Leebashni Reddy, Estée Lauder Account Executive, The Estée Lauder Companies South Africa, of the Europe Middle East and Africa region for her work with the RP Moodley School for Disabled Children

The Leonard A. Lauder Volunteer Leader of the Year Award celebrates an individual who has inspired and led fellow employees to make an impact through volunteerism. This year’s recipient is:

Douglas R. Wood, Vice President, Enterprise Architecture, Strategy and Security for his work with the Somaly Mam Foundation
The Leonard A. Lauder Volunteer Team of the Year Award acknowledges outstanding commitment by a department or group of employees who have made a significant impact on the community utilizing volunteerism as a means of High-Touch leadership. This year’s award is given to The Aveda Global Education Team in North America for their work with Project Homeless Connect. The Aveda Global Education Team recipients are:


  • Shelley Barnes, Executive Director, Field Education & Program Development
  • Deanna Carciofini, Administrative Assistant, Global Education
  • Kyle Miner, Manager, Shows & Production
  • Wendy Rose, Salon Development Partner, Aveda Services Midwest
  • Stephanie Wagner, Executive Director, Retail Education

The Estée Lauder Companies Recognition for Outstanding Community Service honors employees who have elevated The Estée Lauder Companies’ core values by engaging colleagues in volunteer service to strengthen and give back to their community. This year’s awardees are:

  • Barbara Pomilla, Director, Global Manufacturing Planning and Optimization, Melville, NY for her leadership since 1997 in energizing Company colleagues through volunteer opportunities. The benefiting organization is The Muscular Dystrophy organization.
  • Yoko Ogata, La Mer Expert, La Mer Sales Department, Fujisaki Department Store, Sendai, Japan for offering hope and encouragement to earthquake survivors in Japan by enlisting beauty experts to visit shelters and provide makeovers. The benefiting organization is Tokyo de Volunteer.

Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus of The Estée Lauder Companies stated, “Congratulations to each of these Award winners, spanning the globe from seven countries and six regions, reinforcing the message that volunteerism is universal. All it takes is one person’s vision and relentless determination to make a difference. These employees have done just that, and I applaud them for going the extra mile in unique and exemplary ways. My hope is that these Awards will inspire others, not just our employees but people everywhere, to take it upon themselves and lend their time and attention to improving the lives of others.”

William P. Lauder, Executive Chairman of The Estée Lauder Companies stated, “Congratulations to the Award winners on these well deserved honors. Volunteerism is an integral part of The Estée Lauder Companies’ heritage, and these employees have gone above the call of duty by donating their personal time and efforts to non-profit organizations that are meaningful to each of them. In Fiscal Year 2012, more than 3,200 of our employees contributed approximately 16,000 volunteer hours through more than 280 non-profit organizations in the United States alone. Today’s winners reflect our ongoing commitment to volunteerism worldwide.”

Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Estée Lauder Companies, stated, “Employee engagement and giving back to the communities in which we do business is more important than ever. I commend our winners for their commitment to their respective non-profit organizations. They personify the concept of “Leading from Every Chair,” a principle belief of The Estée Lauder Companies that encourages all employees to take initiative and affect change, regardless of experience and title. I am proud of each of the winners for raising the bar in volunteerism.”

The Leonard A. Lauder Volunteer of the Year Awards recognize The Estée Lauder Companies’ employees for outstanding service with certified non-profit organizations and are not limited to those non-profits supported by The Estée Lauder Companies. The call for submissions went out in August 2012 to employees worldwide in affiliates that elected to participate. The awards were first introduced in 2010 under the auspices of the Employee Volunteer Program of The Estée Lauder Companies headquartered in NYC, and all submissions were evaluated by committee.

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The Company’s products are sold in over 150 countries and territories under the following brand names: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Prescriptives, Lab Series, Origins, M-A-C, Bobbi Brown, Tommy Hilfiger, Kiton, La Mer, Donna Karan, Aveda, Jo Malone, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Michael Kors, American Beauty, Flirt!, GoodSkin™ Labs, Grassroots™ Research Labs, Tom Ford, Coach, Ojon, Smashbox, Ermenegildo Zegna, AERIN Beauty and Osiao.

Source: The Estée Lauder Companies