Leah Bailey, a highly-respected executive with 25-plus years of impressive experience in the beauty industry and a Harvard Business School MBA, will start March 2 at Helen of Troy as global president for personal care—a newly-established position that will oversee all of the company's personal-care business, Beauty Store Business has learned.
Bailey, who will report to CEO Julien Mininberg and will be based at the company's El Paso, Texas, headquarters, will be responsible for Helen of Troy Professional (the Hot Tools and Belson Products brands) and Idelle Labs, as well as the company's retail appliances, retail personal care, hairbrushes, combs, haircare accessories, etc., worldwide.
Previously, Bailey served as president and CEO of Paris Presents, vice president/general manager at an Alberto-Culver division and marketing director at Beecham Cosmetics. She began her career as an assistant product manager at Quaker Oats, and also has experience as an executive or a board member in other industries. Her bachelor's degree is from The Johns Hopkins University.
Helen of Troy Professional president Art August, who has been with the company for 25-plus years, will leave Helen of Troy after a transition period.
Helen of Troy Professional vice president of sales Scott Hagstrom and vice president of marketing Terri Taricco-Cropp will report to Bailey. As BSB and others noted at the Western Buying Conference Jan. 19-20 in Las Vegas, both are now working with the Hot Tools and the Belson Products brands.
In addition, Alan Ames, who has been with Helen of Troy for almost 15 years and has managed a number of the company's personal-care divisions outside of professional beauty, is pursuing other interests.
[Image courtesy of Helen of Troy]