Joan Willat, Sephora

Joan Willat has helped turn Sephora’s expanding retail footprint into something more than a story about opening stores. For her, growth is also about developing the people who deliver the Sephora experience to millions of clients.

As executive vice president and chief retail officer for Sephora U.S., Willat oversees stores, client experience, store operations, education and the Sephora at Kohl’s partnership. She leads more than 600 Sephora stores across North America and supports more than 1,100 Sephora at Kohl’s locations nationwide.

Since joining Sephora in 2012, Willat has held executive leadership roles spanning retail operations, education and field leadership. She has helped expand Sephora’s retail footprint, strengthen its organizational capabilities, and execute the company’s strategy across its store network.

“I’m most proud of the growth Sephora has achieved across our retail business,” Willat says. That includes expanding its store footprint, continuing to grow the Sephora at Kohl’s partnership and serving more clients than ever.

But for Willat, developing the people behind that growth is equally important. She has focused on leadership development and on creating a culture where employees can build meaningful careers and reach their potential. As executive sponsor of EllesVMH, LVMH’s employee resource group focused on advancing women in leadership, she also champions mentorship, professional growth and career ­advancement.

Before joining Sephora, Willat held senior leadership roles at M·A·C Cosmetics and Williams-Sonoma.

“The combination of business growth, strong partnerships and people development is what makes this accomplishment especially meaningful to me,” she says.