Unilever
On any given day, 2.5 billion people use Unilever products to feel good, look good and get more out of life – giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future. The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) is our blueprint for achieving our vision to grow our business, while decoupling our environmental footprint from our growth and increasing our positive social impact. The Plan sets stretching targets, including how we source raw materials and how consumers use our brands. The USLP underpins the company’s strategy and commits to: • Helping more than a billion people take action to improve their health and well-being by 2020. • Halving the environmental impact of our products by 2030. • Enhancing the livelihoods of millions of people by 2020.
Directors
Mita Mallick
Head of Diversity & Cross-Cultural Marketing
Bio
Mita Mallick is a corporate change maker who believes corporations have a responsibility to make a social impact. She is a disruptive business leader who has brought her experience in managing P&Ls, brand innovation, and strategic planning into leading cultural transformation. Mita is a passionate storyteller who believes in the power of diversity to transform business and brands.
As the Head of Diversity & Inclusion and Cross Cultural Marketing at Unilever, Mita’s efforts to build an inclusive culture are being celebrated. Under her leadership, Unilever was named the #1 Company for Working Mothers by Working Mother Media in 2018. She also co-created the first of its kind Cultural Immersions series to increase the cultural competency of marketers training over 2000 marketers to date.
Prior to leading Diversity & Inclusion, Mita has had an extensive career in the beauty and consumer products goods space. She was one of the chief lieutenants in launching The Vaseline Healing Project in the U.S., signing award-winning actress & activist Viola Davis as the brand’s ambassador.
Mita as been recognized by Leading Women Intrapreneurs in 2018. She received the Inaugural Diversity Innovator Award from the National Association for Female Executives in 2017, and was on the “50 People Under 40 Shaking Up Beauty” Youthquake List by Women’s Wear Daily.
Mita has a B.A. from Columbia University and an M.B.A. from Duke University.
Awardees
Chris Symmes
Brand Manager
Bio
Chris is co-lead of PRIDE, the LGBTQIA-Business Resource Group at Unilever, where he is committed to creating opportunities and pursuing initiatives that foster a more diverse and accepting work environment ultimately empowering others to live more authentic lives. In 2015, Chris joined Unilever full-time after graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with his MBA. In that time, he has worked on Degree Deodorant, Magnum Ice Cream and currently manages Schmidt’s Naturals in the U.S. Prior to Unilever, Chris worked in corporate finance at HarperCollins Book Publishers. In his free time, Chris enjoys staying active by participating in recreational sports, the gym and annual surf trips to Costa Rica. His favorite show is Seinfeld and usually references it at least once a day.
Malena Donas
Cultural and Human Insight Strategist
Bio
Malena’s purpose is all about exploring new things and inspiring people to do the same. This has taken her down very diverse paths both professionally and personally, the latest being her move from living in Latin America to moving to New Jersey in order to join Unilever. Malena has been in Unilever for two years with the market research organization. Her current position is a perfect match to her purpose and passion as it allows her to business partner with the sustainability team helping North America and brands develop and implement their purposes. As a cultural strategist, Malena is able to explore different topics like femininity and urbanization to help brands comprehend cultural shifts in society in order to future proof their business. Outside of the direct responsibilities of her position, Malena is part of both the Latin American Business Resource Group as well as Galvanize (the Woman’s BRG) in both she works towards increasing the business’s cultural awareness and sensitivity with a special lens on improving the workplace so that everyone can “bring their true selves to work”. Personally, Malena has two small children who she loves exploring with. She is constantly outside enjoying nature and looking for the next interesting place to travel to.
Risa Gordon
Associate Brand Manager
Bio
Risa is an active member of Galvanize, the Women’s Business Resource Group at Unilever, where she is committed to building a sense of community for women at Unilever that extends beyond their day-to-day teams. Whether planning quarterly networking events, building relationships in mentorship circles or attentively listening to inspirational women speakers, her belief in building community is always at the core. In 2015, Risa joined Unilever full-time after graduating with her MBA from NYU Stern. Risa interned on the Lipton tea brand, followed 1.5 years in a global marketing role on Lux. Currently she is the Associate Brand Manager on Dove Beauty Bar, a position she’s held for 1.5 years. Risa believes in the Dove purpose of real beauty with real care and building a worldwide community that encourages women to recognize their authentic, unique, real beauty as a cause for celebration. Prior to working at Unilever, Risa Gordon worked at The Creative Coalition for four years, advocating for federal & state funding for the arts, as well as other causes. Risa is also proud of her work as an associate producer on the documentary, Ahead of Time, which celebrates the inspirational woman and trailblazing life of Ruth Gruber. Outside of work, Risa enjoys relaxing with yoga and is a certified yoga instructor. She tries to live an eco-friendly lifestyle and is conscientious about reducing waste. And, of utmost importance to her, is spending time with her husband and close community of family and friends.
Veronica Velazquez
Associate D&I Manager
Bio
Veronica articulates her purpose as, “empowering the voices of those on the sideline to come together on the field as one team.” This comes to life in both her professional and personal worlds, whether it is through her work in the diversity and inclusion space, volunteering in under-served communities or on the soccer field. Veronica has been a part of the Unilever team for 5 years, rotating through different sales and marketing roles before becoming the Associate D&I Manager. Her background in marketing, including a BS in Marketing from Rutgers Business School, combined with years of extra-curricular leadership and sports participation have led to her passionate pursuit of elevating the diversity & inclusion agenda at Unilever. Veronica’s line of work involves empowering business resource groups to have a larger business impact, developing diverse talent internally and externally, driving external benchmarking of our diversity efforts, and leading D&I communications and awareness across Unilever US. Over the last 2 years in role, the D&I team at Unilever has received strong recognition both internally and externally, culminating in Global Compass Award presented to her and the team. Outside of work, Veronica enjoys spending her time volunteering with non-profits, traveling domestically and internationally and fostering dogs with her boyfriend.