LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT SERIES: AN INTERVIEW WITH LAUREN
March 17, 2025
In our Leadership Spotlight Series, we are highlighting executives across our Company who are driving innovation, transforming business practices, and positively impacting the communities where we live and work.
Lauren Zack is Vice President of Business Development for the Beauty Division at Centric Brands. In this role, she leads strategy and growth for the Beauty division. From her career start in brand marketing, to leading strategic initiatives for the Beauty division at Centric Brands, Lauren has built deep expertise in the licensed beauty and lifestyle industry. A champion of cross-functional teamwork, she leads the company’s dynamic beauty portfolio while fostering a supportive, inspiring environment.
How do you incorporate our leadership commitments into your decision-making and interactions with your team?
Inspiring others and fostering a sense of ownership are at the core of my leadership strategy, particularly in driving cross-functional collaboration across Sales, Design, Production, and Operations. We’re only as good as our collective efforts, so I focus on building an environment where everyone feels valued and can see the direct impact of their contributions. By emphasizing involvement and appreciation, I aim to create a culture where teamwork and camaraderie are paramount—so much so that people feel excited to come to work each day and drive our success forward.
What are the top priorities for your team in the coming months?
Our immediate focus is executing successful 2025 holiday programs for our customers, ensuring each retail partner receives the tailored assortment they need for a standout season, all while navigating the recent increased tariffs.
We also remain committed to innovation, ensuring we are engineering trend-right products that resonate in our fast-paced, dynamic category. Speaking of innovation, we’re gearing up to launch two exciting new adult beauty brands at retail: Juicy Couture and Color Dept (a partnership with influencer, Sincerely Jules). We are excited to welcome both brands into our portfolio to further drive sales for our division.
Additionally, we are always focused on maintaining strong customer and licensor relationships to accelerate growth and maximize performance and sales. As part of our long-term strategy, we’re actively identifying new licensing opportunities to broaden our portfolio in 2026, across entertainment, confection and fashion brands.
How have you built relationships with colleagues and other departments within the Company?
I’m fortunate to work very closely with my licensing counterparts in the Sleepwear and Hosiery departments, where we regularly collaborate and evaluate new cross-category opportunities. From traveling together to studios and tradeshows to submitting joint proposals, we’ve established a strong, unified framework that maximizes our combined expertise. In addition, my team and I partner with our talented corporate marketing team on various initiatives and materials, ensuring that our messaging and strategies remain cohesive and aligned with Centric’s overall vision.
How has your job/role changed throughout the years?
I started my career as a Marketing Coordinator at Nautica, drawn to the world of brand building. After refining my marketing skills for several years, I met Alex Fogelson, who had just founded Taste Beauty, and became his very first business hire. In that role, I wore countless hats, gaining exposure to every aspect of the business—licensing, sales, marketing, branding, social media, product development, and even oversaw production coordination for my sales orders. This experience was invaluable, and I’m forever grateful for the growth it provided.
When Centric Brands acquired Taste Beauty in late 2020, we combined our strengths and solidified our position as leaders in the Beauty and Personal Care category. Today, I oversee Sales & Licensing for the Beauty team and collaborate across multiple functions to set strategies, grow the business, and keep our reputation for excellence at the forefront of everything we do.
How do you see your role evolving in the next year?
Over the next year, I will seek to drive even greater impact in expanding our portfolio, strengthening our retail and licensor partnerships, and ensuring we deliver innovative, trend-driven products that maximize sales and margin. As we continue to scale, I will focus on identifying high-growth opportunities—whether through deepening relationships with existing accounts, securing new licensing deals, or strategically entering new categories that align with consumer demand.
Additionally, I aim to strengthen my internal and external relationships by collaborating more closely with my partners in Planning, Production and Design. By becoming more integrated into these facets of the business, I aim to enhance cross-functional alignment and expand my knowledge beyond my day-to-day responsibilities.
How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as loyal, outgoing and bubbly—but above all, as a devoted mom to my two-year-old daughter, Emi. In my free time, I love staying active through SoulCycle and other forms of exercise, which energize me and help me stay grounded. Whether we’re out on a family adventure or simply spending time together at home, being with my husband and Emi is my favorite way to recharge.
