Her Story
About Barbara
Barbara Zinn Moore is a distinguished retail and beauty industry executive, cosmetics consultant, and nonprofit leader with more than five decades of experience in retail. Throughout her career, she has developed expertise across ready-to-wear, footwear, cosmetics, and fragrances, building a strong reputation for driving sales growth, strengthening brand partnerships, and enhancing retail performance. As President of Barbara Zinn Moore Associates, LLC, she advises established retailers, emerging beauty brands, and private equity firms on business development, merchandising, branding, assortment planning, marketing, distribution, and vendor relationship management.
During her tenure as Senior Vice President, Vice President, and General Merchandise Manager of Cosmetics and Fragrances at Lord & Taylor, Barbara led significant business transformations, doubling annual cosmetics and fragrances sales from $100 million to $200 million despite a reduction in store locations. She also helped expand the company's digital beauty business, introduced new product categories, and strengthened relationships with established and emerging brands. In recognition of her professional accomplishments, she received the Cosmetic Executive Women Achiever Award in 2011. Beyond her consulting career, Barbara remains actively involved in nonprofit leadership, serving as president of the Lenox Hill Hospital Auxiliary and leading her synagogue organization. Her contributions reflect her commitment to supporting nursing education, professional development, patient care, and community engagement.
Barbara attributes her success to perseverance, a competitive spirit, a genuine passion for her work, and a commitment to excellence. She considers the lasting relationships she has built with colleagues, vendors, and former team members among the most rewarding aspects of her career. She also values mentorship, teamwork, and the importance of trusting one's instincts, encouraging young women to remain flexible, develop strong professional relationships, and surround themselves with talented people. Outside her professional and philanthropic commitments, Barbara enjoys reading, shopping, traveling, and exploring the vibrant streets of New York City.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Barbara
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for my career, perseverance, and determination to excel. I have always taken pride in doing my work well and genuinely loved what I did. I believe that when you love your work, it never truly feels like work. My persistence and strong determination have helped me overcome challenges and maintain a fulfilling career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I have been fortunate to learn from exceptional mentors, particularly Bob Chavez, who taught me the art of negotiation, and Leonard Lauder, whom I had the privilege of working with at Macy’s. Both were outstanding role models whose guidance and leadership significantly influenced my professional growth and career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Trust your instincts and remember that you are in your position for a reason. Be flexible, recognize when it is time to pivot, and embrace change as an opportunity for growth. Most importantly, invest in building and nurturing a strong team. You cannot accomplish everything alone, and surrounding yourself with the right people will make you a stronger leader and help you succeed.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the most meaningful highlights of my career was receiving the Woman of Achievement Award from the Cosmetic Executive Women Association in 2011. I am deeply grateful for my professional journey and proud to have built a successful, fulfilling career doing work I truly loved.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I deeply value the relationships I have built throughout my career. I feel fortunate to remain close friends with people I worked with 20 or 30 years ago. Whether they were colleagues, team members, or vendors, the people I have met and the lasting connections we have formed are the most meaningful and rewarding parts of my professional journey.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.