An article today at forbes.com shines a light on Why Women Still Aren’t Getting Leadership Roles. “For the past three years, the percentage of female leaders and CEOs globally has stagnated at around 10%,” writes Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes Contributor, author of the book Futureproof Your Career, and Associate Professor at HEC Paris Business School in Doha. Dr. Janjuha-Jivraj works extensively with clients on leadership. “Despite firm commitments to advancing women into leadership roles, significant barriers remain, starting with the double bind,” she explains. “Organizations reflect their cultures, and phrases like ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ extend beyond the workplace to societal norms.”

In the run-up to International Women’s Day (IWD), Dutch women leaders in tech are calling for greater support for female founders. “New data is released on gender inequity in tech,” reports Thomas Macaulay at thenextweb.com. “This week, one report estimated that female founders in Europe secured just 12% of last year’s total VC funding. Yet there are also reasons for optimism. One is that the investment landscape is showing signs of progress. According to the Female Innovation Index, last year saw a 7% increase in round size and a 15% rise in M&A activity for tech firms founded by women.” Meanwhile, following a report published by PitchBook Data, an article at tech-news.info.com examines The Triumphs and Trials of Female Founders in the U.S. VC Ecosystem.

In executive news, Mary Kay has appointed Tara Eustace as the company’s new Chief Opportunity and Sales Officer. A long-time Mary Kay executive, Eustace will head up the brand’s Global Opportunity and Sales organization, overseeing all regions, and leading the team of region presidents and general managers in over 40 global markets. Meanwhile, Kenvue has announced that three new members have joined its Board of Directors: Sarah Hofstetter, President of Profitero, Ltd., Erica Mann, formerly President and head of Bayer’s Consumer Health Division and Jeffrey Smith, CEO and CIO of Starboard Value LP. 

Making market headlines, Olaplex has reported a drop in sales of 9.8% in the three months to December 31, 2024, in comparison with the same period in 2023. “During 2024 we laid a critical foundation for our business and brand transformation,” said Amanda Baldwin, Olaplex’s Chief Executive Officer. “I remain confident and optimistic about the strategies put in place as we step into a meaningful year ahead for the business.”

LoveShackFancy’s is launching its fifth scent, created by Gabriela Chelariu of Dsm-Firmenich, called LoveShackFancy Goes to the Beach. It will drop on the Sephora app on March 20. In other fragrance news, Donna Karan is reintroducing Cashmere Mist, the designer’s iconic nineties fragrance, with supermodel Imaan Hammam as the face of the campaign.

After seven years being sold solely on Ulta Beauty’s website, Persona makeup goes into the retailer’s speciality stores on the new Icons endcaps in 1,170-plus locations. In other brick and mortar updates, the Neiman Marcus flagship store in downtown Dallas, which opened in 1907, will be shuttering on March 31.

To read more about these news stories, please click on the links below.

Why Aren’t More Women In Leadership Roles? An article at forbes.com shines a light on the latest data, and examines why barriers remain. (FORBES)

Dutch Women In Tech Call For Greater Support. Women tech leaders in The Netherlands make a plea for more support in an article at thenextweb.com. (THE NEXT WEB)

PitchBook Data Shines Spotlight On Female Founders And Venture Capital. An article at tech-news.info.com examines The Triumphs and Trials of Female Founders in the U.S. VC Ecosystem. (TECH-NEWS.INFO)

Mary Kay Appoints Tara Eustace as Chief Opportunity And Sales Officer. Eustace will oversee all Mary Kay regions, in over 40 global markets. (BUSINESS WIRE) 

Three New Members Join Kenvue Board of Directors. The new members are Sarah Hofstetter, president of Profitero, Ltd., Erica Mann, former president and head of Bayer’s Consumer Health Division and Jeffrey Smith, CEO and CIO of Starboard Value LP. (HAPPI)

LoveShackFancy Drops Fifth Fragrance. LoveShackFancy Goes to the Beach will drop on the Sephora app on March 20, before rolling out in stores at the website. (WWD)

Donna Karan’s Cashmere Mist Comeback. The designer’s iconic nineties fragrance is being reintroduced, with supermodel Imaan Hammam as its face. (BEAUTY PACKAGING) 

Olaplex Announces Q4 2024 Results. Sales dropped 9.8% in the three months to December 31, 2024, in comparison with the same period in 2023. (GLOBAL COSMETICS NEWS) 

Persona Enters Ulta Beauty Stores. The brand will be displayed on new Icons endcaps in 1,170-plus stores. (BEAUTY INDEPENDENT)

Neiman Marcus Dallas To Close. The iconic store, which opened in 1907, is closing at the end of this month. (BEAUTY MATTER)