Jessica Phillips, VP of merchandising at Ulta Beauty, to be honored with prestigious recognition highlighting year-long philanthropic campaign to support City of Hope research
CONTACT
Bridget Livengood
626-232-2498
blivengood@coh.org
LOS ANGELES — City of Hope®, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, announced today that its National Beauty Industry (NBI) philanthropy group will present its most esteemed and prestigious honor — The Spirit of Life® Award – to Jessica Phillips, vice president of brand development, strategic initiatives and international at Ulta Beauty. The award, whose honorees are selected for their notable contributions to their communities and field of work, will be presented at a gala dinner on July 22, 2024, at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
“We are thrilled to recognize Jessica Phillips for her dedication to transforming the beauty retail space by supporting and amplifying BIPOC (black, indigenous and other people of color) brands as part of Ulta Beauty’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, said Harlan Kirscher, CEO and founder of The Kirschner Group, Inc. and president of NBI. “Her passion and commitment to creating access across the beauty industry is admirable, and we are fortunate to have her partnership on this important philanthropic effort.”
“We are excited to team up with Jessica and the larger beauty community to accelerate the development of new cancer cures, save patient lives and ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to secure their highest level of health,” said Joe Watterson, vice president of corporate philanthropy at City of Hope. “Today, we are celebrating Jessica’s philanthropic efforts to support City of Hope in creating more health equity for underrepresented communities, which is paramount to our mission.”
With more than 20 years’ experience in merchandising at retail giants like Sephora, Target and Best Buy, Phillips has deep expertise in building and developing brands. At Ulta Beauty, Phillips plays a key role in curating and nurturing Ulta Beauty’s diverse product assortment and investing in inclusive and emerging BIPOC brands — products and services that empower consumers of all genders, ages and backgrounds to look and feel like their authentic selves. In addition to ensuring there is dedicated shelf space for BIPOC founders, Ulta Beauty, the nation’s largest beauty retailer, launched the MUSE Accelerator in 2022, a program that helps early-stage BIPOC beauty brands continue their growth toward retail readiness and success.
“I am incredibly honored to receive this year’s Spirit of Life Award,” said Phillips. “In my role at Ulta Beauty, I’m proud to elevate underrepresented voices and help emerging brands achieve their business dreams. I see many similarities in City of Hope’s transformative work, which provides individuals and communities access to cancer treatments they might not otherwise have. City of Hope’s emphasis on treating the whole person — mind, body and soul — also speaks to the powerful influence wellness and beauty can have on a patient’s outlook.”
For updates and sponsorship information, please email NBI@coh.org.
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Jessica Phillips, Vice President of Brand Development, Strategic Initiatives and International
Jessica Phillips leads Ulta Beauty’s heightened focus on brand development as well as continuing to develop the company’s strategic platforms of Conscious Beauty and BIPOC brand growth. She also has responsibility in Ulta Beauty’s new venture, leading the company’s merchant team in international expansion into Mexico. Prior to Ulta Beauty, Phillips spent 20+ years in various merchandising roles at Sephora, Target and Best Buy and Sales and marketing positions with EMI Music in Los Angeles. Phillips has a B.A. from the University of Minnesota, Morris and an .M.B.A from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. She is also a Regent Emeritus of the University of Minnesota (1995-2001) and former board member of both the Carlson School Alumni Board and UMAA Board.
About City of Hope’s National Beauty Industry Group
Inspired by the guiding humanitarian principles of City of Hope and motivated by the institution's commitment to innovative medical research and compassionate patient care, a group of key industry executives founded City of Hope’s National Beauty Industry (NBI) philanthropy group in 1981.
In its more than 40-year history, the group has raised over $22 million for City of Hope and has honored some of the most influential figures in the beauty industry. With a tradition of uniting professionals from around the country, NBI represents a community of executives, professionals and colleagues in every segment of the salon business category.
The Spirit of Life® Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious honor and is presented to an esteemed community of industry leaders around the world who have made a significant commitment to improving the lives of others through the advancement of research and clinical innovation and the delivery of personalized, compassionate care.
Past honorees include Farouk Shami, Ph.D., of Farouk Systems Inc., Artemis Patrick of Sephora, Deborah Carver of Creative Age Publications, Mark Spinks of Sally Beauty, Steve Goddard of PRAVANA and Harlan Kirschner of The Kirschner Group, to name a few.
About City of Hope
City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S. and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center at its core, City of Hope brings a uniquely integrated model to patients spanning cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and innovation initiatives. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHopeTM. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.