Now Reading
Avon Names Corporate Social Responsibility Officer
Avon Names Corporate Social Responsibility Officer
Published 02-21-03
Submitted by Avon Products, Inc.
NEW YORK, NY – Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) has named Kathleen Walas, President of the Avon Foundation, to the additional and newly created position of Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, effective immediately. She will report to Andrea Jung, Avon’s chairman and chief executive officer.
In her new position, Ms. Walas will focus on expanding the role of the Avon Foundation and establishing Avon as a leader in the area of corporate social responsibility. Further, she will be responsible for developing a new Corporate Social Responsibility Council within Avon to address reputation issues globally and align corporate initiatives with Avon's image and values. She will continue to build on Avon's corporate public/private partnerships, such as the company’s innovative partnership with the National Cancer Institute.
“Corporate social responsibility is becoming an increasingly important priority for all Fortune 500 companies and for Avon particularly, as we continue to build globally on one of our founding principles to meet fully the obligations of corporate citizenship,” said Ms. Jung. “Kathleen’s leadership in corporate philanthropy and public affairs makes her uniquely qualified to guide this important new initiative for the company. She has set a new level of excellence in helping the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade reach its 10-year goal of raising $250 million in total funds worldwide.”
Ms. Walas is a 17-year veteran of Avon and has held numerous positions in corporate affairs and public relations. Prior to her Avon career, she ran her own business in the areas of corporate public relations, special events, advertising, employee communications and marketing to women.
Ms. Walas is on the board of directors of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA) and is chair of its Public Affairs Committee. She serves on the New York Columbia-Presbyterian Health Sciences Advisory Council and the board of directors of Cosmetic Executive Women. In 2000, Walas was inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers. In September 2002, Cosmetic Executive Women honored her as a “Woman of Achievement.”
Avon is the world’s leading direct seller of beauty and related products, with approximately $6.2 billion in annual revenues. The company markets to women in 143 countries through 3.9 million independent sales Representatives, and, for more than a century, has provided women with economic opportunity. More information on Avon can be found on the company’s website www.avon.com.
The Avon Foundation, a 501c (3) tax-exempted fully accredited charity, was founded in 1956. Its mission is to improve the lives of women and their families with specific focus on supporting economic development and funding access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. Further information on the Avon Foundation can be found at its website http://avonfoundation.org.
Avon Products, Inc.
Avon Products, Inc.
Avon Products, Inc. recognized the beauty of "corporate responsibility" nearly a century before the term became part of the cultural lexicon. From the very beginning, in 1886, forward-thinking Avon founder David H. McConnell committed his company "to meet fully the obligations of corporate citizenship by contributing to the well-being of society and the environment in which it functions" - words that still guide the company more than 125 years later.
Avon is committed to the mission to "do well by doing good," managing its business enterprise to the highest standards while leveraging its unique capacity to mobilize and engage people to be agents of change in their lives, communities and the world.
Avon's Corporate Responsibility reflects the three pillars of Avon's corporate mission and drives the focus of the company's corporate responsibility efforts and achievements:
More from Avon Products, Inc.
