Star Power: Speakers announced for 2nd annual Inside Beauty & Wellness Forum

A packed speaker lineup of beauty experts, social media brands and retailers for the second annual Inside Beauty & Wellness Forum has been released and it includes representatives from companies like Walmart, Ulta Beauty, TikTok, Walgreens, CVS Health and Reddit.

The event takes place September 11 and 12 at Virgin Hotels NYC in New York City. 

Register here.

“We saw the lack of intimate events where attendees can fully discuss the real-world challenges facing mass beauty so we launched Inside Beauty last year with participation from Walmart, Walgreens and CVS and it was a tremendous success. Based on demand, we expanded the scope to include Wellness, which will offer attendees additional content and opportunities,” said John Kenlon, senior vice president/publisher. “We will have more retailers, social media brands and thought leaders, as well as a broader educational track and expanded networking opportunities. And attendees will gain valuable actionable information that they can bring back to their organizations and integrate in their beauty and wellness business.”

[Read More: Registration opens for second annual Inside Beauty Forum]

Attendees will learn how retailers are leveraging synergies between beauty, health and wellness to drive trips, improve the customer experience, increase revenue and enhance their position as a trusted destination for holistic well-being.

The list of speakers includes the following people:

• Monique Benoit, Senior Merchant, Ulta Beauty
• Ralph Clare, Merchandising SVP, H&W Consumables, Walmart
• Jerrit Davis, VP of Merchandising, Personal Care, Walmart
• Richelieu Dennis, Founder and CEO, Sundial Group of Companies
• Sophia Dennis, Head of Programming and Strategy, Beautycon
• Bea Dixon, Co-Founder, CEO & Chief Innovation Officer, The Honey Pot
• Leigha Dunbar, Sr. Director - Sr. Divisional Merchandising Manager, Walgreens
• Larissa Jensen, SVP Global Beauty Advisor, Circana
• Michelle LeBlanc, VP of Beauty, CVS Health
• Sadé Muhammad, CMO, TIME
• Emily Oster, CEO, ParentData
• Megan Petrie Ramm, Head of Americas, Uber Advertising
• Vinima Shekhar, VP of Beauty, Walmart
• Janell Stephens, CEO and Founder, Camille Rose
• Allison Tepley, Global Audience Marketing Team, Reddit
• Mary Van Praag, CEO, Milani Cosmetics
• Rema Vasan, NA Head of Business Marketing and Global Head of Gaming Marketing, TikTok

In addition, here is a full agenda and speaker lineup below:

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Exclusive Dinner - invite only
Interested in attending? Contact John Kenlon OR Nigel Maynard

Thursday, September 12, 2024

9:00 AM - 9:05 AM
Opening Remarks
Join us as we kick off the Inside Beauty & Wellness experience with a warm welcome and opening address

Community Builders: Connecting Culture, Commerce and Entertainment

9:05 AM - 9:35 AM
Speakers: Richelieu Dennis, Sundial Group of Companies and Sophia Dennis, Beautycon

Richelieu Dennis and Sophia Dennis will discuss how fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support within a community is crucial for long-term brand loyalty and cultural impact.

They will share best practices for creating spaces where communities thrive, trends emerge, and brands authentically connect with their audiences.

The Bridge to Well-being, Where Beauty and Health Meet at Walmart

9:35 AM - 10:20 AM
Speakers:

• Ralph Clare, Walmart

• Jerrit Davis, Walmart

• Sadé Muhammad, TIME

• Vinima Shekhar, Walmart

Hear from Vinima Shekhar, Jerrit Davis, and Ralph Clare as they discuss how Walmart makes a meaningful impact in its communities by seamlessly combining beauty and wellness into everyday life. 

They’ll share insights on how Walmart integrates technology, affordable and innovative products, and expert services to help customers and associates live healthier, more vibrant lives. Additionally, they’ll explore how consumer education is crucial in empowering individuals to make informed choices about their well-being.

Break

10:20 AM - 10:35 AM

Women's Health: Unconventional Wisdom

10:35 AM - 11:05 AM

Speakers:

• Leigha Dunbar, Walgreens

• Sadé Muhammad, TIME

• Emily Oster, ParentData

Women's health is having a moment. Investments in technology, research, and resources tailored to women's needs are gaining momentum.

In this discussion, Emily Oster will address the most pressing questions from her fan base, sorting myths from reality. Leigha Dunbar will discuss how Walgreens uses its resources to educate women about their health and deliver accessible well-being through products and services. Sade Muhammad will spotlight the leaders driving innovation in women's health across tech, finance, and research and explain why Time focuses on this critical area.

The Bridge to Well-being, Where Beauty and Health Meet at CVS

11:05 AM - 11:25 AM
Speaker: Michelle LeBlanc, CVS Health

Join Michelle LeBlanc as she delves into how CVS Health defines and integrates beauty and wellness into its product offerings and services. 

This discussion will spotlight CVS Health's steadfast commitment to wellness, underscored by bold decisions that prioritize long-term customer health. We'll explore how these initiatives not only foster community but also empower shoppers with the knowledge they need to make informed choices.

Leveraging Real-Time Trends in an Asynchronous Supply Chain

11:25 AM - 12:10 PM

Speakers:

• Rachel Hardy, Pinterest

• Megan Petrie Ramm, Uber Advertising

• Allison Tepley, Reddit

• Rema Vasan, TikTok

Listen to what experts from industry giants like Uber, TikTok, Pinterest, and Reddit have to say as they share the newest trends that are shaping the beauty and wellness scene. 

During this panel discussion, they will delve into the most effective ways to make the most of these trends in the moment, providing a guide to spot fresh market chances. Find out how these platforms create tailored experiences that truly connect with today’s shoppers.

Lunch Break 

12:10 PM - 1:10 PM

The Intersection of Beauty & Wellness

1:10 PM - 1:40 PM
Speaker: Larissa Jensen, Circana

The act of practicing healthy habits is not new, but consumers’ definition of wellness – and their outlets for achieving it – are evolving. From the foods we eat, to the products we wear, and the activities in which we participate, the trifecta of body, mind, and soul is the key to look and feel our best. 

Circana’s global beauty industry advisor Larissa Jensen will reveal newly released research on consumers’ wellness priorities and the impact these behaviors are having across different industries. Being one of the few categories that strikes all three wellness chords, beauty will be used as a case study, with lessons and thought starters that can translate to other businesses.

Breaking Barriers and Normalizing Conversations Around Women's Health

1:40 PM - 2:00 PM

Speakers:

• Monique Benoit, Ulta Beauty

• Bea Dixon, The Honey Pot

Join Monique Benoit as she interviews Beatrice Dixon about her journey as a Black female entrepreneur. Beatrice will discuss how she identified an unmet need in women's health, brought innovation to a space dominated by massive CPG brands, and navigated the challenges of being a founder. 

They’ll also explore her efforts to normalize conversations around once-taboo topics and the ongoing regulatory challenges many women's health products face.

Break

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM

Fireside Chat with Mary Van Praag, Milani

2:15 PM - 2:45 PM
Speakers: Mary Van Praag, Milani Cosmetics

Join Faye Brookman for a fireside chat with Mary van Praag, CEO of Milani and a respected leader in the beauty industry with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation across major brands. 

Under her leadership, Milani has emerged as a standout in the industry, recognized for its high-quality, affordable products that resonate with a diverse range of consumers. Mary will share how a focus on inclusivity, authenticity, and community connection has been key to this success.

Best Practices for Mission Driven Strategies

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Speakers: Isaac Shapiro, Cleanlogic

Redefining Luxury: The Intersection of Mass and Prestige Beauty

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM

Speakers:

• Ali Kole, Meridien Partners

• Janell Stephens, Camille Rose

Janell Stephens, founder of Camille Rose, has successfully built a beloved brand that marries natural ingredients with luxury appeal. Ali Kole, former Head of Luxury at Amazon, brings her expertise in curating and scaling luxury experiences in the digital age. 

Together, they will explore the evolving intersection of mass and prestige beauty, offering insights on how brands can balance accessibility with exclusivity and what this shift means for the future of beauty.

Closing Remarks

3:45 PM - 3:55 PM

Networking Happy Hour

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Head to the link here for more details regarding the lineup, venue and registration.