Kathy Rafalin

Senior Vice President Human Resources & Corporate Communications Shiseido Americas Corporation

With over 20 years of experience in luxury beauty and fashion, Kathy has built a distinguished career leading talent strategy, leadership development, and DEI initiatives at some of the world’s most iconic brands. At Shiseido Americas, she plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s people-first culture and enhancing and strengthening the company’s reputation.

Since joining Shiseido in 2016, Kathy has held progressively senior roles within the HR function. Prior to Shiseido, she led Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, and Human Resources for the Americas at Louis Vuitton. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles in Learning and Development at L’Oréal, refining her expertise in building high-performing teams.

Kathy began her career in sales at Coca-Cola, before transitioning to human resources. Her diverse background—spanning consumer goods, luxury retail, beauty, and fashion—gives her a unique perspective on organizational leadership, talent management, and building inclusive cultures.

Born and raised in South Africa, Kathy holds a Master of Arts from New York University and postgraduate and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Cape Town.

Outside of work, Kathy lives in Chelsea, NYC, with her husband, two teenagers, and a Rhodesian Ridgeback. An avid traveler and fitness enthusiast, she loves exploring the city’s vibrant food scene and experimenting in the kitchen.