Lessons in Leadership: The Future of Beauty with CEW President Elana Drell Szyfer

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In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with Elana Drell Szyfer, president of Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) and one of the most influential leaders in the global beauty industry. With more than three decades of experience spanning companies like Chanel, L’Oréal, Avon, Estée Lauder, and RéVive, Elana offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how careers in beauty evolve—and what it takes to navigate an industry that constantly reinvents itself.

Elana's path into beauty was anything but conventional. Originally a history major who imagined a future in nonprofit arts philanthropy, her first role at the Juilliard School focused on connecting donors with scholarship recipients. A shift toward business studies eventually led her into the beauty world through a position at Chanel’s family office. Determined to move closer to the operating side of the industry, she studied trade publications, reached out to industry leaders directly, and ultimately landed at L’Oréal—where her career in beauty truly began.

Over the next two decades, Elana built a foundation in marketing leadership across some of the industry’s largest brands. Later, she transitioned into the entrepreneurial side of beauty, leading privately backed companies and guiding brands through transformation, acquisition, and growth—including her tenure as CEO of RéVive. Along the way, she witnessed firsthand how dramatically the beauty landscape has evolved, from traditional advertising and retail counters to today’s fragmented world of social media, influencer discovery, and science-driven storytelling.

As she steps into her new role at CEW, Elana reflects on leadership, the future of marketing, and the growing need for clarity around industry buzzwords like biotech and longevity.

Listen to the full episode to hear Elana Drell Szyfer share lessons from her career and her vision for the future of the beauty industry.

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