Unilever's Sundial names former Nars exec CEO, founder moves to new role

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Dec 3, 2019

US-based Sundial Brands, one of the ever growing number of companies now owned by Anglo-Dutch giant Unilever, said on Monday that its founder Richelieu Dennis is transitioning from chair and CEO to create and lead its “purpose-driven Social Mission Board and focus on new entrepreneurial ventures".

It means that Nars executive Cara Sabin will join Sundial as its new CEO with immediate effect. Sabin will report to Esi Eggleston Bracey, Executive VP and COO of  North America Beauty and Personal Care at Unilever.

Most recently with Shiseido as VP of Marketing for Nars Cosmetics’ Americas business, she has a strong track record in business strategy, consumer marketing, digital and wider innovation. She was previously VP of Global Marketing for Clinique Makeup and Korres.

Sundial is a haircare and skincare company that makes brands including SheaMoisture and talks ups “its innovative use of high-quality and culturally authentic ingredients.” It said Richelieu Dennis will drive the Social Mission Board as it scales “Sundial’s Community Commerce economic empowerment and impact model across the global organisation, as well as provide insights, strategy and learnings across Unilever.” 

Dennis founded Sundial Brands 28 years ago with his mother Mary Dennis and best friend Nyema Tubman and “created Community Commerce as a purpose-driven model to reinvest in the communities where the company does business, as well as to equip women and entrepreneurs with access to the opportunities and resources that enable them to create lasting value for themselves and others”.