Barbara Lavernos

Barbara’s favorite word is: DARE! Barbara Lavernos’ 34-year journey with L'Oréal is a confirmation to her insatiable curiosity, realistic-optimistic mindset and inexorable quest for progress. She isn't just breaking down barriers; she's obliterating them, fostering a culture rooted in science, powered by tech, moved by nature. She loves pushing the boundaries of the existing with her teams and to make science x technology at the service of exploring new territories such as longevity or BeautyTech to amplify and broaden L’OREAL’s leadership. Her commitment to diversity isn't just a corporate catch word; it's a core belief that drives her vision for the future of Beauty as the powerful teams she is building. She sees a world where Beauty products, services or experiences are tailor-made to the unique needs of everyone, regardless of their background or identity. Her dedication to extra-financial alongside financial performances have always been her NorthStar. Sustainability and responsibility aren’t just a box-ticking exercise. All along her carrier, with her teams, she engaged into tangible game-changers: Solidarity Sourcing with L’Oréal’s ecosystem of suppliers nowadays benefiting to more than 60 000 persons; the ignition of decoupling of carbon emissions and water consumption to the growth of the entire manufacturing and supply-chain of the Group; and in her today’s role, putting Green Sciences and Biotech at the center of Research & Innovation worldwide activities with already 65% of biobased raw materials achieved and trustworthy AI at the core of the development of Tech Products. But what Lavernos prefers over all is to empower individuals to unleash their talents and to foster a collective winning spirit, challenging together the status quo, and this among both internal and external partners’ teams. A true mentor, she is committed to champion women in STEM to inspire other females for a more inclusive future. Her determined, down-to-earth leadership style and her belief in empowering others shine through. This isn't just a corporate profile: it's a story about a woman, a mother, a wife, a colleague, a partner who experienced that daring isn’t the easiest but without any doubt the most enthralling. In 2020, The French Presidency decided to appoint her as a Knight of the Legion of Honour.