Yale School of Management - Gina Boswell '89

"I truly value both the professional education and personal experiences I gained at Yale SOM. The Yale SOM learning environment was quite unique and special, from the diversity of the student body, to the emphasis on teamwork, not to mention the outstanding faculty. I look back now, twenty years later, knowing that the rewards of my time spent at Yale have been significant and long-lasting."

Gina Boswell has been Unilever's executive vice president for Personal Care in North America since May 2011. Ms. Boswell is responsible for the $4.5 billion personal care portfolio, which is made up of hair care, deodorant, skin cleansing and skin care categories.

Formerly as president of Global Brands for Alberto Culver, Ms. Boswell oversaw all global brands, such as VO5, TRESemmé, NeXXus, St. Ives and Noxzema, as well as marketing, research & development, package design, and consumer insights for this $3.7B market cap company, acquired by Unilever in May 2011.

Prior to joining Alberto Culver, Ms. Boswell was SVP & chief operating officer of Avon North America, where she was responsible for implementing overall business strategies and transformation for Avon's largest region ($2.5B in sales). She was also a senior executive at Ford Motor Company and the Estee Lauder Companies, following several years as a consultant with Marakon Associates and Arthur Andersen.

Ms. Boswell currently serves on the board of directors for Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) as well as the non-profits YMCA USA and Cosmetic Executive Women. In 2005, she was named a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute and, in 2007, was recognized as one of the top 15 women in business by the Forte Foundation and Pink Magazine. Serving as chair for Chicago's Go Red for Women Luncheon, she helped raise $800,000 in 2009. She is a member of the Chicago Network, the Executives' Club of Chicago, as well as the CMO Executive Summit's Board of Governors. In 2011, Ms. Boswell was honored by Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) as an Achiever of the Year, the highest award bestowed in the beauty industry. She also serves on the Yale University President's Council.

Ms. Boswell is a summa cum laude graduate of Boston University and received her Master's degree from the Yale School of Management. She and her husband live with their two daughters in Chicago's Western Suburbs.