Fragrance Foundation to Honor Breen

The Fragrance Foundation will honor Thia Breen, President, North America, The Estée Lauder Companies at this year’s 11th Circle of Champions dinner on Oct. 5. The Circle of Champions Award is presented annually at a dinner ceremony held in honor of an individual, selected by the Board of Directors, who has made a notable impact on the fragrance industry.

“Without a doubt”, states Rochelle Bloom, president of The Fragrance Foundation, “Thia is one of the most highly regarded and respected industry leaders and the Board’s decision to recognize her contributions speaks directly to the influence she has had on so many of us. Anyone who knows Thia knows her as not only a smart business woman but a kind, caring mentor, and a generous friend. Her career path has been honed on both sides of the industry, manufacturing and retail, where her steady hand and unwavering instincts, guided some of the biggest industry successes.”

“I am truly honored to be recognized by my peers in this business we are all so passionate about,” said Breen. “Being in the same circle as past champions including my friends Don Loftus, Leonard Lauder, Michael Gould, Pete Born and many others, all of whom I have admired for so long, makes me even more appreciative to receive this award.”

In the role of president, North America, The Estée Lauder Companies, Breen is responsible for driving sales and profits for all the company’s brands in North America across all distribution channels. Joining the company in 1977, Thia has worked on leading beauty brands, including: Aramis, Clinique and Origins, where as a member of the founding team she helped establish the brands unique profile. She left The Estée Lauder Companies in 2002 and joined Federated Merchandising Group as senior vice president, Cosmetics and Fragrances. In her tenure at Federated, Breen gained insight into the many challenges of today’s retailing environment.

She re-joined The Estée Lauder Companies in 2005 as president of the Americas for the Estée Lauder brand and in 2007 was promoted to president, Worldwide for the brand, a position she held until her recent promotion as pesident, North America, for The Estée Lauder Companies.

Breen is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a degree in marketing. She has served as a board member of The Fragrance Foundation and currently serves as a board member on the National Mother’s Day Council and Cosmetic Executive Women. In 2007, she received a CEW Achiever Award, honored as a leader in beauty.