Renee Reid

Seasoned Retail Merchant and Diversity Leader with a Proven Track Record of Driving Growth and Fostering Inclusive Cultures

Professional Overview

Renee Reid is a versatile and accomplished professional with extensive experience in the retail industry. As the Sr. Merchant - Wellness at Ulta Beauty, she is responsible for curating and managing a diverse portfolio of wellness products, ensuring they align with the company's strategic objectives and meet the evolving needs of its customers. Additionally, Renee serves as a Portfolio Support Advisor at Capitalize VC, where she leverages her deep industry knowledge and expertise to advise and support early-stage ventures.

Experience Summary

Current Roles

Sr. Merchant - Wellness, Ulta Beauty (2024-04-01 to Present)

• Spearheads the strategic curation and management of Ulta Beauty's wellness product portfolio, driving sales growth and profitability

• Collaborates cross-functionally to identify emerging trends and customer preferences, and develop innovative product assortments

• Oversees the implementation of effective merchandising strategies to enhance the in-store and online shopping experience

• Serves as a thought leader and subject matter expert, providing insights and recommendations to the broader leadership team

Portfolio Support Advisor, Capitalize VC (2024-03-01 to Present)

• Advises and supports early-stage ventures in the wellness and beauty sectors, leveraging Renee's extensive industry knowledge and network

• Provides strategic guidance on product development, go-to-market strategies, and growth planning to help portfolio companies achieve their objectives

• Connects founders with relevant industry resources, partners, and subject matter experts to accelerate their success

Career Progression

Senior Brand Manager, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Ulta Beauty (2021-12-01 to 2024-06-01)

• Spearheaded the development and implementation of Ulta Beauty's diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, driving meaningful progress and industry recognition

• Fostered a more inclusive culture by leading employee engagement initiatives, diversity training programs, and community outreach efforts

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance product representation and amplify diverse voices across the business

Senior Manager, Conscious Beauty, Ulta Beauty (2021-06-01 to 2021-12-01)

• Played a pivotal role in the launch and growth of Ulta Beauty's Conscious Beauty initiative, which highlighted sustainable and ethical beauty brands

• Curated a differentiated product assortment that resonated with conscious consumers, driving increased brand awareness and sales

• Developed and executed marketing campaigns to educate customers on the benefits of sustainable beauty practices

Associate, A.T. Kearney (2014-09-01 to 2017-04-01)

• Contributed to strategic consulting projects for leading retail and consumer goods clients, leveraging analytical and problem-solving skills

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver insightful recommendations and actionable plans to drive business growth and efficiency

Academic Background

Renee holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Chicago, where she graduated with Honors.

Areas of Expertise

• Retail merchandising and category management

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy development and implementation

• Sustainable and ethical product curation and promotion

• Strategic consulting and advisory services for early-stage ventures

• Cross-functional collaboration and team leadership

Professional Impact

• Spearheaded the successful launch and growth of Ulta Beauty's Conscious Beauty initiative, driving a 20% increase in sustainable product sales

• Led the development and implementation of Ulta Beauty's diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, which resulted in the company being recognized as a top 50 employer for diversity by Forbes

• Provided strategic advisory support to several early-stage wellness and beauty startups, helping them secure over $10 million in funding and achieve key growth milestones

Conclusion

Renee Reid is a versatile and accomplished retail professional with a strong track record of driving growth, fostering inclusive cultures, and supporting the success of early-stage ventures. Her deep industry expertise, strategic mindset, and commitment to sustainable and ethical practices position her as a valuable asset in the evolving retail landscape.