Estée Lauder appoints Deirdre Stanley as EVP and general counsel

By

Robin Driver

Published
Sep 7, 2019

New York-based cosmetics group The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. has named Thomson Reuters alum Deirdre Stanley as executive vice president and general counsel, a role to which she brings more than two decades of experience.

 
In her new position at ELC, Stanley will lead the group’s legal strategy, practices and policies worldwide, serving as strategic advisor to both the company’s legal organization and its board of directors.
 
She will therefore be responsible for advising ELC executives and business units on legal matters including corporate strategies, compliance, risk mitigation and governance, as well as for the legal reviewing of potential acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures.

Stanley succeeds Sara E. Moss, who has been promoted to the newly created role of vice chairman. She will report to the company’s executive chairman, William P. Lauder, as well as to president and CEO Fabrizio Freda.
 
During her 17 years at The Thomson Reuters Corporation and its predecessor company, Stanley served in a range of legal roles of increasing responsibility. Having joined The Thomson Corporation as SVP and general counsel for six years, she was promoted to EVP and general counsel in 2008 when the company acquired Reuters.
 
She served as a member of the company’s executive and operating committees, and as secretary to its board of directors, while also taking on the role of company-appointed director of Refinitiv.  
 
As the company’s chief legal officer, Stanley worked with lawyers in more than 10 countries around the world and spearheaded a series of initiatives including an enterprise risk management program and a range of women’s leadership and diversity initiatives.
 
Prior to joining The Thomson Corporation, Stanley, who holds an AB from Duke University and a JD from Harvard University, worked at InterActiveCorp/USA Networks, Inc.
 
Having begun her career at law firm Cravath, Swaine and Moore, Stanley cut her corporate teeth as associate general counsel at GTE Corporation, a predecessor of Verizon.
 
“Deirdre’s extensive expertise, sound judgment in both business as well as legal matters, and strong understanding of the unique environment in which ELC operates make her ideally suited for this role,” commented Freda in a release. “Working closely with our Board of Directors, William and me, Deirdre will be a critical partner in driving ELC’s strategy for long-term sustainable growth.”
 
Stanley’s appointment is effective October 28, 2019.