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NEW YORK — Sundial Brands’ founder Richelieu Dennis said he is transitioning from his roles as chair and chief executive officer of the company to establish and lead Sundial’s new Social Mission Board, as well as focus on his new entrepreneurial ventures.
Richelieu Dennis
Meanwhile, Cara Sabin has joined Sundial Brands as chief executive officer. In this capacity, she will lead the Sundial business into its next chapter of impact continuing the legacy of its founders. She will report to Esi Eggleston Bracey, executive vice president and chief operating officer of North America Beauty and Personal Care for Unilever.
Additional members of the Social Mission Board will include Sundial co-founder Mary Dennis, Richelyna Hall and Emmet Dennis.
“I’m incredibly excited to join the Sundial family and can’t wait to lead the company to its next level of impact and growth,” said Sabin. “It’s an honor to lead a company whose legacy and purpose so tightly align with my personal passion, and I look forward to working with the Social Mission Board to scale our social mission and impact.”
Sabin most recently worked with Shiseido as vice president of marketing for NARS Cosmetics’ Americas business. She brings more than 20 years of business strategy, consumer marketing, digital and innovation experience. Previously, she served as vice president of global marketing for Clinique Makeup and Fragrance, and has held senior level positions at Johnson & Johnson and Korres, a prestige homeopathic Greek beauty brand.
The Social Mission Board will scale Sundial’s Community Commerce economic empowerment and impact model across the global organization, as well as provide insights, strategy and learnings across Unilever. Dennis will become chair of the newly-established Social Mission Board and will continue to leverage his expertise to drive Sundial’s purpose-led business approach.
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. Sundial Community Commerce invests in these efforts locally and around the world, including helping to ensure critical infrastructure and improvements in its supply chain and investing in entrepreneurial and educational programs that empower women to grow their businesses and transform communities.
“When we created the Community Commerce business model almost 30 years ago, my family and I did so with a belief that we could build a successful business that also contributed to and invested in the building of other businesses and the sustainable economic empowerment of underserved people and communities,” said Dennis. “Different from charity or philanthropy, Community Commerce was our mission and our passion long before concepts like ‘purpose-driven’ became popular, and it continues to be the cornerstone of everything we do. As I move forward with increased focus on my entrepreneurial endeavors and investments, including our $100 million New Voices Fund for women of color entrepreneurs, I’m also excited to expand Community Commerce across Sundial and Unilever through the Social Mission Board and scale a proven model that fuses business performance and societal well-being. This has always been, and will always be, our North Star.”
“As someone who has consistently redefined the rules of entrepreneurship through his service and impact, we are thrilled Richelieu will be leading the Social Mission Board and partnering with Unilever to ensure that the principles of Community Commerce guide the company’s business and societal impact globally moving forward,” said Bracey.
“I’m thrilled to have Cara join the Sundial team,” added Bracey. “Cara brings an impressive record of supporting, growing and sustaining venerable businesses in the beauty category, and I look forward to the expertise and passion she will bring to the Sundial business.”
Dennis said, “I wish Cara the best as she steps in to lead this business into a new phase of innovation and impact. This is an extraordinary time for Sundial Brands as the opportunities to build upon its legacy and create its future rooted in purpose and community are limitless.”
