Sue Y. Nabi, a recognized global innovator and beauty industry entrepreneur, has been Chief Executive Officer of the multinational beauty company Coty Inc. since September 2020. Coty, which develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes fragrances, cosmetics, skincare, nail care, and both professional and retail hair care products, had long struggled and failed to post a net profit. When she took the position of CEO, Nabi was tasked with turning the company around and transforming it into the successful company it has the potential to become.
The company’s previous chief executives “were not from the beauty industry, so they missed things and made many execution mistakes,” Nabi told the Financial Times in 2021. “My job is to set priorities on where we need to put our money and energy.”
Based on her past performance, if anyone can turn things around for Coty, it’s Nabi. She holds an advanced master's degree in marketing management from the prestigious French business and management institution ESSEC Business School and entered L'Oréal as a Retail Sales Representative in 1993.
Nabi quickly rose through the ranks at L’Oréal, becoming Mennen Brand Manager (Gemey-Maybelline) in 1994, Group Manager/Marketing Director for Gemey-Maybelline from 1996 to 2000, and eventually being promoted to General Manager, L’Oréal. By 2005, she was Worldwide President of L’Oréal Paris. She championed diversity in beauty and re-invented L’Oréal Paris’ advertising and brand equity with the “Because We’re Worth It” testimonials. These ads included older actresses and celebrities from a wide range of different racial and ethnic backgrounds and featured men as well.
Nabi, a trans woman, personally understood the need for inclusivity, and her success with L’Oréal Paris led to her role as the Worldwide President of Lancôme, part of the L’Oreal Luxury Products division and a brand that was in decline. The revival resulted in a record €3.32 billion turnover.
Nabi resigned from L’Oréal after 20 years in 2013 and, four years later, launched Orveda, a high-end, vegan, genderless skincare line co-founded with friend and business partner Nicolas Vu. Nabi has big plans to expand Orveda, and a Coty-branded line of fragrances will be available by early 2024. She has already delivered solid financial progress for several companies in Coty’s portfolio, including CoverGirl, Rimmel London, and Gucci Beauty.