Estée Lauder continues leadership shakeup with new EVP and General Counsel

The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) is in the midst of a leadership shakeup. Just days after appointing a new CFO, it has announced that Rashida La Lande is stepping into the role of Executive Vice President and General Counsel.

As Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Rashida La Lande will act as a strategic advisor to the organisation and its Board of Directors on complex global legal issues and the company’s business.

In this critical role, she will lead the Company’s legal strategy, practices, and policies globally. She will also oversee the Company’s Global Privacy Office and Global Security Team as well as review potential acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures.

William P. Lauder, Executive Chairman at ELC, said: "Rashida’s impressive experience acting as a key strategic partner to executive leadership teams and boards coupled with her sound judgment advising a publicly traded, values-driven business on legal matters makes her ideally suited for this role."

La Lande brings with her more than 25 years of experience advising corporations and representing companies and private equity sponsors. Most recently, she was the Executive Vice President and Global Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer at The Kraft Heinz Company.

Prior to joining The Kraft Heinz Company, La Lande was a partner at the Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher law firm, where she practised as a partner from 2007 to 2018 and as an associate from 2000 to 2007. She began her legal career as an associate at Chadbourne & Parke LLP from 1998 to 2000.

Fabrizio Freda, CEO at ELC, commented: "Rashida’s extensive experience managing legal matters across a diverse portfolio of iconic and new brands for one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world makes her uniquely qualified for this role.

"Working closely with our Board of Directors, William, and me, Rashida will be a critical partner in driving ELC’s strategy for long-term sustainable, profitable growth, and bringing our brands and company to the next level."

This follows the appointment of Akhil Shrivastava as the company's new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, replacing Tracey Travis, who announced her intention to retire earlier this month.

Shrivastava first joined the company as VP of Global Finance & Strategy for the Estée Lauder brand in 2015, later taking on the role of SVP for Jane Hertzmark Hudis’ Brand Cluster in 2019.