Back to HBA Home

Avon COO to Deliver Keynote

Susan J. Kropf, President and COO of Avon, Will Share Insight During HBA Keynote Entitled 'Building Beauty Leadership: Five Drivers of Brand Power'

Susan Kropf

Susan J. Kropf, President and Chief Operating Officer, of Avon Products Inc., will deliver the Keynote Address at HBA Health & Beauty America taking place September 27-29 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. Kropf's presentation will be on Tuesday, September 27, at 9:00 a.m. According to Jack Gonzalez, group show director of Beauty & Wellness events, Ms. Kropf's keynote address will add tremendous value to HBA—the premier health, beauty, and personal care product development trade show and conference. "Ms. Kropf has an impressive track record in marketing, product development, and corporate leadership for the world's largest direct seller of women's beauty and personal care products," Gonzalez says. "By sharing her insights on Avon's rich history and the company's successful strategies for sustaining brand power for over a century, Ms. Kropf promises to deliver critical information that will inform—and inspire—everyone who attends."

Since 2001, Kropf has held full P&L responsibility for Avon's worldwide business operations that generate $7.7 billion in annual revenues. She is a member of Avon's Board of Directors and she also chairs the Avon Operating Council. Avon markets to women around the world through independent sales representatives in more than 100 countries. Avon product lines include such recognizable brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Avon Solutions, Advance Techniques Hair Care, Avon Naturals, Mark, and Avon Wellness.

Ms. Kropf started her career at Avon in 1970, and is one of the company's most experienced executives. During her career she has held key positions in critical areas of the company's operations, including marketing, research and development, product development, customer service, manufacturing and others. In 1999, she was named chief operating officer, North America, with responsibility for global marketing, supply chain, information technology, and the company's business transformation efforts.

Under her leadership, Russia became the fastest-growing new market entry in Avon's history, and Central Europe also grew dramatically. Ms. Kropf earned a B.A. from St. John's University and an M.B.A. in Finance from New York University. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Sherwin Williams Company, MeadWestvaco Corp, the Fragrance Foundation, and the Wallace Foundation. She recently received the March of Dimes Beautiful Apple Award for her distinguished career and reputation as a visionary and compassionate philanthropist.

In addition to the keynote address, HBA will feature an extensive educational program addressing a wide range of marketing, product development, and business strategy topics. Among the expected 550 international exhibitors at HBA will be formulators, contract fillers, ingredient suppliers, and private label manufacturers as well as packaging, dispensing, and labeling companies.

HBA is produced by CMP Princeton Inc., and is the largest industry-specific event in North America for the health, beauty, and personal care industries. HBA is also launching Inside Beauty, a new event dedicated to the growing health, beauty and wellness market that will take place concurrently with HBA. To register or learn more, go to www.hbaexpo.com or contact 609-452-2800, ext. 118 or ktaulbee@cmpprinceton.com.