Dr. Bronner’s Promotes Five To VP Roles

Natural personal care company Dr. Bronner’s has  promoted of five department directors to vice president positions.

Marc DeRosa, Ryan Fletcher, Bertine Kabellis, Darcy Shiber-Knowles, Lilia Vergara—all previously directors who head sales, public relations, engagement, operational sustainability and innovation, and human resources—will now hold the title of vice president of each of these respective departments. 

“The hard work and success of all five of these departments has been an integral part of the company’s growth. Each of these unique leaders allows us to rock our mission in an authentic and effective way,” said David Bronner, CEO (cosmic engagement officer) of Dr. Bronner’s.

In their new roles, each will continue to lead their departments and advise the company’s executive council, which is comprised of representatives of the company’s senior leadership and guides the company’s decisions, operations, growth, and development, while protecting Dr. Bronner’s mission and values.

R&D

Darcy Shiber-Knowles, VP of operational sustainability and innovation, joined Dr. Bronner’s in 2013. During her tenure at the company, she has built and oversees technical service and product development functions, including sustainability, compliance and regulatory affairs, quality and R&D. She has led the company’s work to address and reduce its plastic use, including the development of circular bulk refill stations and liquid soap refill carton packaging as well as supporting plastic and climate policy advocacy, and creating a plastic in-setting program.

Shiber-Knowles has also secured 100% renewable power for the company, launched its Green Team and Fair Trade Internship Program, laid the foundation for their employee-led zero waste to landfill initiative, and supports the company’s environmental reporting and climate strategy. Additionally, Shiber-Knowles’ team facilitates registration and compliance with Dr. Bronner’s many third-party certifications, including B Corp, USDA Organic, Fair Trade, vegan, Regenerative Organic Certified, and EWG Verified.

Sales

Marc De Rosa, VP of sales, joined Dr. Bronner’s in 2012. He began his career in the natural products industry at Dr. Bronner’s and has since moved through the ranks of the sales department. He heads North American sales operations for the company including its inside sales, wholesale, natural and conventional grocery, and mass-market divisions, and a team of mor ethan 35 staff.

De Rosa oversees the company’s presence in key major retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Target, Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Trader Joe’s, and REI. In partnership with Director of Sales, Natural & Conventional Grocery Gina Coccari, he is responsible for the company’s overall sales strategy and has been key to the company’s expansion and growth including shaping sales strategies for the launch of several products, such as Dr. Bronner’s Virgin Coconut Oil, All-One Toothpaste, Organic Hand Sanitizer, Magic Balms, Magic All-One Chocolate, and most recently the national launch of Soap Refill Cartons into nearly 10,000 stores within one year of roll-out

Public Relations

Ryan Fletcher, VP of public relations, joined Dr. Bronner’s in 2006. He anchors the public relations team in managing the brand’s global PR strategy by promoting the integrity of Dr. Bronner’s brand and its “All-One!” mission. Fletcher and the PR team have facilitated thousands of media placements on behalf of Dr. Bronner’s in the world’s most influential media outlets. The department leads the company’s earned media driven approach to publicity and helps develop communications, campaigns, and multimedia projects while playing a key role in Dr. Bronner’s activism and charitable work.  

Engagement

Bertine Kabellis, VP of engagement, joined Dr. Bronner’s in 2011. Kabellis and her team are responsible for coordinating the company’s experiential marketing, employee engagement, and community outreach programs as well as myriad other special projects, including management of the product donation warehouse and the All-One! Café which provides free organic and plant-based lunches daily for on-site employees. Her team also supports employee onboarding, and facility tours. Under Kabellis’ leadership, Dr. Bronner’s has launched multiple engagement programs that promote and celebrate the organization’s vibrant culture. In 2020, she co-founded Dr. Bronner’s DEI taskforce.

Human Resources

Lilia Vergara, vice president of human resources, joined Dr. Bronner’s in 2012. She oversees management of the company’s benefits package administration, compliance, payroll, staffing, compensation, safety training, and the growth and development of the company’s workforce. Vergara leads the human resources department in helping maintain the All-One! mission and strives to foster an environment of inclusion and a forward-thinking approach to human resources. She spearheaded the creation and development of the company’s current approach to staffing, recruitment  and hiring and the implementation of key programs to enhance company culture including the Child Assistance Program, leadership training, parental leave, and wellness programs.

Contributions to Growth & Success

“Each of these leaders have been key to the success and growth Dr. Bronner’s has attained,” said Michael Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner’s. “It is with great respect and gratitude that we promote them to their new vice president positions. Each of these individuals are important stewards of our brand and our values and will help ensure our company sustains itself long into the future.”

The dedication and tenure of each of these leaders has been pivotal to the company’s growth, noted officials. Their efforts have included the expansion of Dr. Bronner’s sales into mass market channels as well as internationally; expansion of product lines into personal care essentials like toothpaste and other products; the recent introduction of new liquid soap refill carton packaging; continued commitment to consumer education and advocacy campaigns to promote healing the planet and people; expansion of Dr. Bronner’s manufacturing facility; significant increase of the number of Dr. Bronner’s employees; and guiding the company’s unique activist and community-minded mission.