Policy Breakfast with David Greenberg, CEO of L’Oréal USA and President, North America Zone

Leadership in Beauty and Beyond: A Discussion with David Greenberg on the U.S. Beauty Market

The French-American Foundation—United States was thrilled to host our March Policy Breakfast with David Greenberg, CEO of L’Oréal USA and President, North America Zone.

David discussed his 31-year career at L’Oréal and his experience leading the brand through the evolving landscape of the U.S. beauty market, navigating the balance between French heritage and American consumer expectations. Highlights included how L’Oréal has successfully adapted its global strategy to maintain relevance on both sides of the Atlantic, the role of cultural identity in shaping beauty trends, and the company’s commitment to responsible innovation.

Special thanks to L’Oréal for their continued support of the Foundation’s work and to Frédéric Rozé for helping make this event possible. As the former CEO of L’Oréal USA and FAF-U.S. Board Director, we are grateful for Frédéric’s dedication to fostering transatlantic dialogue and leadership in and outside of the beauty industry.

Our thanks also extend to the FAF-U.S. Board of Directors for their support and leadership and to Greenberg Traurig LLP for their hospitality.

David Greenberg has spent more than 30 years at L’Oréal in leadership roles across markets, divisions, brands and functions. David began his career in marketing in 1993 at L’Oréal Paris, ultimately holding the position of Vice President of Marketing. From 1999 to 2003, David spearheaded the dramatic expansion of the L’Oréal Paris and Garnier brands in Mexico as head of the L’Oréal Mexico Consumer Products Division. David was named Worldwide General Manager of Matrix in 2003, leading the brand’s global rollout.

In 2005, David was appointed Senior Vice President for Human Resources for L’Oréal USA and drove a transformation of the function. From 2008 to 2017, David served as US President of Maybelline and Garnier and led the integration of the Essie brand when it was acquired in 2010. From 2017 to 2022, David led the Professional Products Division in US and Canada and drove a major acceleration and business model transformation of the Division.

In February 2022, David was appointed CEO of L’Oréal USA, President of the North America Zone, and a member of the Group’s Executive Committee, the first American to serve in these roles.

He has been named Board Chair of the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) in May 2024.

David holds an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a BA from Lehigh University.

Marie de Foucaud is the founder and CEO of Elovation Consulting where she drives the business success of clients through a new kind of brand building based on a passion for impact. Combining French elegance with New York energy, Marie builds ecosystems of internal processes, stakeholder relationships and external engagement, leveraging the unique stories of human interest to promote long-term growth and reputational refinement.

She previously developed and led the communications and marketing department of Richard Attias and Associates, a global strategic advising communications firm for Head of States and Governments. She also managed the worldwide communications of Boucheron, the French luxury jewelry and watches House. Marie’s recent work includes winning projects on behalf of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, Luxury Kering Group, Venturi Astrolab, The Exploration Company, The J.P. Getty Trust, Artex Stock Exchange and many more.

Marie is the co-chair of the Young Patrons Program of LMCC, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, an organization supporting independent artists in NYC, and is a frequent lecturer at Parsons and George Washington University. She is a board member of the French Founders Retail Club, an Ambassador of the EPIC Foundation, as well as a founder of Défi Brésil, an organization that creates economic opportunities for young women in Salvador de Bahia. Marie is an avid marathoner, sports lover and mother of four based in New York City.