Businesses You Didn’t Know Were Run by LGBTQ+ Women
BY ELLIS CHUNG
Happy pride month! This June, Girls Who Start wants to honor some of the lesser-known CEOs in companies you already know and love. While the list is short, let’s take a look at some of the corporate pioneers who are paving the way for LGBTQ+ women in business.
Land O’ Lakes
Credit: Land O’Lakes Inc.
That’s right! Your favorite butter company is owned by Beth Ford, who became the first openly lesbian CEO of a Fortune 500 company when she took on the role in 2018. As the best-selling brand of butter in the United States, Land O’Lakes ranks 232 on the Fortune 500, with last year’s net sales totaling $16 billion. Ford ranked 25th on Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in 2021, and 43rd on their list of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders in 2019, as she continues to advocate on behalf of farmers and rural Americans.
COTY
Credit: British Vogue
While Coty may not be a household name, among the 77 companies it owns or licenses - including Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Adidas, and CoverGirl - you’re bound to recognize a few. As a former executive at L’Oréal and the founder of her own skincare company, Sue Nabi was appointed CEO of Coty in July 2020. Nabi, a transgender woman, is one of only two female CEOs among the top ten beauty manufacturers and has focused on increasing diversity in her campaigns. As the woman behind L’Oréal’s “You’re worth it” campaign and signings with Julia Roberts and Jane Fonda, she earned herself a spot on the Vogue 25 list in 2018.
Madison Reed
Credit: Madison Reed
It’s likely you’ve seen Madison Reed at your local Target, beauty store, or daily perusal on Amazon. While 30% of the beauty industry was shut down during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Madison Reed, run by former venture capitalist Amy Errett, experienced a 130% increase in gross sales. Named after Errett and her wife’s daughter, Madison Reed has received honors such as Allure's Best of Beauty Award for its popular at-home hair dye solutions.
Patagonia
Credit: Fortune Magazine
While climate activist Rose Marcario no longer runs Patagonia, any list of inspiring leaders would be incomplete without her. Ranking first on Fast Company’s first-ever Queer 50 list, she joined Patagonia as CFO in 2008 and oversaw a threefold increase in the company’s profits.
After expanding Patagonia’s sustainability efforts, Marcario left in 2020. She recently joined the dawning venture fund ReGen Ventures, which invests in businesses focused on solving the climate crisis, and continues to push for consumer awareness and environmental preservation.
While this list is in no way comprehensive, it recognizes a few of the most influential women making a name for themselves in the business world. The next time you butter your toast or buy a new fragrance, try to remember the female trailblazers who made it possible.