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In the dynamic world of global human resources, Beverly Morgan stands out as a beacon of leadership at Benefit Cosmetics, where she serves as the chief people officer. Her journey from the Dominican Republic to the United States not only defines her personal narrative but also shapes the compassionate and open leadership style she brings to the cosmetics giant.
Morgan’s role spans across fifty-four countries, overseeing six thousand employees in four regions, including the pivotal Americas market. With an extensive background in the fashion and cosmetics industries, she brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the helm of Benefit Cosmetics’ HR initiatives.
Her passion for human resources and her innate understanding of employee needs began during her tenure with the LVMH Group for seven years. Starting with Makeup Forever and eventually transitioning to Benefit, she spent fifteen years immersed in the intricacies of the fashion world. This hands-on experience allowed her to cultivate a listening strategy, recognizing that the needs of employees are diverse and not one-size-fits-all.
Morgan is not only a leader deeply rooted in her industry but also one who is attuned to the future of work. In a recent interview with WorkLife News, she shared insights into her approach to the evolving landscape of workplaces, emphasizing the importance of a hybrid model.
Benefit offices didn’t reopen for the long term until March 2022, and prior to reopening, Benefit leaders spoke with colleagues across the different offices to determine the right model for the company. Job functions were sorted into three types: remote (work from anywhere), flex (able to travel to the office as needed), and hybrid. More than 50 percent is the latter.
The fourth week of every month is a mandatory “Think Pink Week,” where flex and hybrid workers must be in the office Monday through Thursday. Town halls, learning and development, lunch-and-learns, and other in-person initiatives are scheduled for that week.
As the world adapts to new ways of working, Morgan acknowledges the significance of hybrid workplaces. In the interview, she expressed her commitment to maintaining the delicate balance between in-person collaboration and the flexibility of remote work. This approach, she believes, ensures that Benefit Cosmetics remains a vibrant and inclusive workplace, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of its global workforce.
One of the cornerstones of Morgan’s leadership is her commitment to diverse representation. With an HR team of eighty to ninety members worldwide, forty based in San Francisco alone, she emphasizes the importance of having a team that reflects the diversity of the global workforce. Her teams operate as business partners, taking ownership of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as corporate social responsibility and philanthropy efforts—all managed in-house.
“We passionately believe in the power of diverse teams and inclusive cultures, and our business is purposefully designed to help our clients achieve this,” says Nanda Veldink, senior partner at Essenta.
Morgan describes her leadership style as a continuous evolution shaped by her immigrant background. Her bold, direct, and open approach, coupled with a solution-focused mindset, stems from her experiences as a newcomer to the United States. Always calm and composed, she seeks to understand the story behind the story, fostering open communication and attention to detail.
Morgan’s journey, navigating the challenges of adapting to a new language and culture, has profoundly influenced her leadership philosophy. Raised in New York City, she faced the hurdles of urban life, yet her devoted parents instilled in her a sense of cultural identity. These experiences, coupled with her own role as a mother of two boys, have heightened her awareness of barriers and the importance of not being deterred by them.
She emphasizes the significance of self-advocacy and seizing opportunities, particularly for executives facing similar barriers. Her advice reflects her own resilience and determination, traits that have propelled her career forward.
As Morgan continues to lead Benefit Cosmetics into the future, her focus on developing diverse representation, fostering an inclusive workplace, and embracing the hybrid model remains at the forefront. Her journey serves as an inspiration, illustrating that leadership is a multifaceted journey shaped by personal experiences, cultural heritage, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of the individuals who make up the global Benefit Cosmetics family.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are more than words to us at Essenta. It fuels our innovation to think differently, work differently, and deliver to our clients differently. As such, we have embedded DEI principles and best practices into our executive search methodology. By activating objective assessments, expanding our networks, and tracking our data, we have become market leaders in executive search and driving diverse hiring at the C-suite. In addition to this, our leadership advisory and DEI consulting services provide a holistic approach to talent management ensuring the executives we place are set up for success.
