Amanda Jones Faoye, KSM ‘15

Name: Amanda Jones Faoye, KSM '15 

Title: Vice President, Marketing – La Mer North America at The Estee Lauder Companies

Young Patrons Circle Member, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Social Media: LinkedIn

Excerpt: In this insightful interview, Bimpe sits down with Amanda, a dynamic leader and VP at a global beauty company, to discuss her inspiring career journey and leadership approach. Amanda reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her path, from taking bold leaps like leaving Walmart for business school to leveraging sponsorship and staying ready under pressure. She shares her passion for diversity in the beauty industry, her dedication to building “destination teams,” and the legacy she hopes to leave by inspiring the next generation.

Career Journey and Leadership
Q: Can you share your journey to becoming a VP at a global beauty company? What were the pivotal moments that shaped your path?
A: For me, what shaped my path was being very intentional early on in my career. I always knew I liked marketing and building brands, so I pursued my undergraduate degree in marketing at the University of Arkansas. After earning my degree, I realized how important it was to really understand the retail business to succeed in building big  brands, so I took on buyer roles at big retailers like Walmart and Macy’s. I then pursued my MBA at Kellogg, a renowned marketing school, but one with a less-crowded focus on beauty, which allowed me to stand out. After Kellogg, I joined P&G—often considered “getting a PhD in marketing”—and later moved to Cover Girl and Estée Lauder. Now, I have the privilege of leading marketing for the largest luxury skincare brand in North America.

Q: What was the most challenging point in your career?
A: Leaving Walmart. I was growing professionally, earning well, and traveling, so stepping away to attend business school felt like a halt. However, I trusted the vision and believed that Kellogg would accelerate my career, so I followed through with it.

Q: You’ve made a few career changes. What inspired you to make each one? And were they always lateral or vertical?
A: My career progression has been largely vertical, and sponsorship has played a big role in that. Having my name mentioned in the right rooms has been incredibly beneficial, and that comes from having the right internal relationships and diverse sponsors, including with leaders who don’t always look like me.

Q: How have you been able to grow your network of sponsors?
A: I focus on being excellent at what I do and showing up really well. For me, 9 times out of 10, it’s about excellence. I believe in “staying ready” and “always being on.” This mindset has created opportunities for leadership to recognize me and advocate for me, often because they see how my success benefits the company. When you show up well, people want to help.

Q: You mention “staying ready.” How do you achieve this?
A: I work best under pressure and show up as my best self in those moments. Every day, I think, what is the pressure for the day, and how can it add a little tension to help me perform at my best? For example, when I’m commuting to the office, I reflect on the people I’ll meet, what the challenges will be, and how I can show up as my best self.

Representation and Impact

Q: How has your identity influenced your leadership style and approach to the beauty industry? What role does diversity play, and how are you driving change?
A: While there’s more diversity in front of the camera today, I can’t overstate the importance of also having diversity behind the camera. I emphasize the need for diverse decision-makers in the industry to ensure better representation and avoid missteps. I’m passionate about the beauty industry’s potential to impact people’s daily lives and confidence.

Q: As a young leader under 40, how do you ensure you grow and inspire those around you?
A: I lead in service to my teams, prioritizing empathy and understanding the human factor. I focus on building “destination teams” and intentionally support my team members' career growth and progression.

Q: How do you maintain resilience and motivation?
A: My motivation comes from strong family support. My husband, parents and siblings have been constant cheerleaders along my journey. I’m also deeply inspired by my two beautiful nieces who motivate me every day.

Q: What legacy do you hope to leave in the beauty industry and beyond?
A: I hope to inspire the next generation. I often think about being a “little Black girl from Arkansas” who defied the odds to succeed. The idea that I can inspire the next little Black girl from – insert the next place – motivates me. I want my legacy to be about showing others that they can dream big and take courageous leaps. The future of the beauty industry lies in innovation and inclusivity, and that’s what continues to inspire me.

Personal Insights

Q: Outside of work, what do you enjoy?
A: I love beautiful designs and interior spaces. I enjoy exploring stunning hotels and attending open houses that inspire me to be creative with my own space. I’m also a big sports fan—football, basketball and tennis are my favorites (I’m a big Coco Gauff fan!). I love dance and am a Young Patrons Circle Member for The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, which allows me to make a philanthropic contribution and be involved in improving accessibility to the arts for people of color.

"This or That" Questions

 City skyline or beach? Beach
Caramel brulée latte or Pumpkin Spice latte? Caramel brulée latte
Gingerbread cookies or peppermint bark? Gingerbread cookies
Holiday movies: Home Alone or Elf? Home Alone
Bold lipstick or natural glow? Bold lipstick
Early bird or night owl? Early bird
Sunrise or sunset? Sunset