As told to Kavita Daswani
Being born, raised, and educated in Seoul had a profound impact on me. In Korean culture, education and discipline are taken very seriously, and from an early age I understood that I was expected to work hard and do well. At the same time, there were strong expectations around marriage and family. Women were often expected to marry by a certain age and focus on their family first. Growing up with these two influences meant I was always aware of both ambition and responsibility, and learning how to balance the two became part of who I am.
I did not grow up seeing many women who were both working and raising families. My mother had been a teacher, but she stopped working after she married my father; because of that, I did not have many examples to follow. In some ways, I had to find my own way forward.
Today, I am a working mother in a global role. For the past 10 years, my husband, who is a medical doctor, has remained in Korea while I have been based in Singapore. Our son studies in London. Living in three different places requires effort and planning, and staying connected does not happen automatically. We are very intentional about making time for one another, and even something as simple as managing our yearly calendar becomes important. It is not always easy, but it reflects the commitment we share as a family.
My path into business was not direct. I studied English Language and Literature at university because I genuinely loved reading and discussing ideas. As a child, weekends at the library or bookstore were something I looked forward to. At the time, I was not thinking about a career in marketing. I simply followed what interested me.
Later, I began to understand how much that education had given me. Literature teaches you to pay attention to people, to emotion, to motivation, and to perspective. Those lessons are very relevant to brand building. Marketing, at its core, is about understanding people. It wasn’t obvious to me at the time, but I kept pursuing what I loved, and it made an impact.
My first job was at a large advertising agency in Korea, where I worked on Samsung. It was a valuable experience and taught me a great deal about the industry. Still, I found myself more curious about brand strategy and creativity. That curiosity led me to pursue an MBA.
At that stage of my life, personal expectations and cultural values again influenced my decisions. I had hoped to study in the United States and applied to three schools. One was located near family, and my parents were comfortable with that option. When I was accepted to the other schools instead, it created a difficult choice. They worried about me going abroad alone before marriage, and I also did not have the financial independence to decide entirely on my own.
In the end, I married and completed my MBA at Yonsei University in Seoul. It was not the original path I imagined, but it was still a strong foundation. Looking back, I see that careers rarely follow a perfect plan. Sometimes the path adjusts, and you grow because of it.
After finishing my MBA, I joined Procter & Gamble because of its renowned brand building and leadership development. More than 30 years ago, I started as an assistant brand manager in feminine care. At the time, I was not certain I would become a leader. I am naturally introverted and more comfortable in smaller settings than speaking in front of large groups. For a while, I wondered if that would limit me.
Over time, I realized that leadership does not require a specific personality. I did not need to become louder or more outgoing than I was. Instead, I focused on preparation, consistency, and thoughtful decision making. I tried to lead in a way that felt steady and genuine. Gradually, I became more confident in my own style.
Each role I’ve had at Procter & Gamble has challenged me in new ways, and I was often asked to step outside what felt comfortable. Moving from Korea to Singapore to take on a broader global position was one of those moments. It was a significant decision for my family, and it required many adjustments. At the same time, it expanded my perspective and allowed me to grow beyond my home.
iconic global brands she leads at P&G Beauty.
When people ask for advice, I usually say something simple. Do what truly interests you, even if you do not yet see where it will lead. Over time, the connections often become clear. I also believe that priorities change during different stages of life. Sometimes career takes the lead, and sometimes family does. Accepting that these seasons shift can make difficult decisions feel more manageable.
I try not to plan too far ahead or be overly afraid of what might happen. We can have aspirations, but we cannot control every outcome. It is more important to make thoughtful choices based on what we know today and remain willing to adjust as circumstances change.
Today, my focus is on the business and the brands I serve, but also on the people I work with. I feel a strong responsibility to support my teams and help them grow. If the business succeeds under my leadership, it is because many capable and dedicated people contribute every day. My hope is that the brands we build continue to earn trust and remain meaningful to consumers.
There is always more to learn, and I do not feel that the journey is complete. I remain grateful for the opportunity to continue growing alongside the organization and the people around me.
SK Lee has been named a 2026 CEW Achiever Award Honoree. She will be recognized along with five other Achiever Honorees and three Special Award recipients on April 30, 2026 at a can’t-miss luncheon in NYC. To support female leadership in the beauty industry, and to network with 1,000 beauty industry colleagues, please click here.
