Alexis Adams

I attribute my success to my parents and the excellent leaders who guided me—as well as the poor ones, who taught me what not to do.

My career path took shape during high school when I interned at Estée Lauder. Spending summers in the labs alongside chemists sparked my fascination with product creation. While I was captivated by the lab chemistry, I realized my true passion was the strategy behind it – tracking trends, exploring textures, writing the briefs. 

I was fortunate to have that early exposure and a valuable seat at the table. That experience played a meaningful role in shaping my interest & passion, ultimately guiding my path toward beauty marketing and product development.

 Two pieces of advice that will always stick with me:

1.     Always lead as your authentic self

Early in my career, I was told I was too nice and didn’t fit the traditional beauty industry mold. I chose not to let that define me. Instead, I built my career by leading with authenticity, kindness, and conviction. Proving that kindness and strength can coexist.

Over time, I’ve learned that authenticity is a leadership advantage - it builds trust, strengthens teams, and creates space for others to grow.

Especially in a female-led industry, I believe great leadership means lifting others up, not holding them back. The best leaders don’t diminish others, they create space for people to rise.

2.     Never be afraid to hire people smarter than you:

Real leadership is not about guarding your position - it’s about raising the level of the team.

The best teams are built with people who bring expertise beyond your own - and that’s exactly the point. Every time I’ve hired that way, it has elevated the work, expanded my perspective, stretched me, sharpened me, and made me a better leader.

Great leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room; it’s about building a team that makes the room smarter. 

I’ve found that the most effective leaders are the ones that surround themselves with people who challenge their thinking, expand their blind spots, and bring strengths they don’t have.

That’s not a threat to leadership. That is leadership.

The values that guide me most are empathy, purpose, respect, and balance.

In my personal life, that starts with family and the pride I feel watching my two children grow with resilience. Professionally, it shows up in my commitment to purposeful work and equity, shaped in part by my time on SheaMoisture.

I’ve also learned that balance matters—that filling your own cup is essential if you want to lead, give, and show up well for others. At the core of it all is a simple belief: treat people with dignity and always look for ways to lift others up.