Impact Interview: Rachel Taplinger

Name: Rachel Taplinger

Role/Function: Global Head of Sustainability, Maybelline New York at L'Oréal

What are you working on these days?

I lead sustainability for Maybelline New York, part of the L’Oréal Group. As the number one makeup brand in the world, we are on a journey to create a more responsible business model, enact positive change and drive global impact. We launched our global sustainability strategy, Conscious Together, at the beginning of 2022, focused on an ambitious set of 2030 goals across packaging, formula, production and circularity. This is a first for us as a cosmetics brand, taking one step at a time with progress over perfection in mind. We recently published our first brand impact report as well, a huge accomplishment for the brand!

I’m really energized by a circularity initiative that we’re working on focused on small format products. Today, small format items (anything less than 20 ml or 2” x 2”) can’t be recycled — they quite literally will fall through the cracks at most recycling facilities. Through initial research we found that with the right infrastructure, smalls can be sorted, processed and recycled, creating an end market for these materials to have a second life. This is potentially game changing as extended producer responsibility legislation comes on board in the US and we’re looking for ways to partner across the industry to expand this work.

What was the “aha” moment that sparked your interest in social impact? 

My interest in social impact was built over time. I was first exposed to it through an internship in college at Cone Communications. Some of you may know Carol Cone as the founder of cause branding. Cone, Inc. created the Go Red for Women campaign, partnering corporations with the American Heart Association and fostering an international movement. I remember thinking — wow, how amazing would it be to leverage the power, reach and financial capital of corporations to do good in the world and from there, I was hooked. It took me a few roles — in communications, education reform and ultimately an MBA — to find the right opportunities for me in corporate sustainability but my initial experience in undergrad helped forge the path. 

How did you break into the social impact space?

I really leveraged business school as a way to break into the sustainability industry. While my college internship and working in education reform touched on impact professions, I utilized my MBA experience at Vanderbilt to pursue sustainability. I immersed myself in coursework, volunteer opportunities, clubs and organizations (shout out to Net Impact and Project Pyramid at Vanderbilt) and my internship experience to pursue this career path.

My first real role in sustainability started out as an internship following business school graduation, from a networking conversation a year prior. What began as five weeks over the summer turned into three months as a consultant, turned into three years building The Estée Lauder Companies’ first sustainability strategy and program. I was fortunate with timing and also privileged to be able to intern but also, I took a risk and followed a non-traditional path. While my friends in business school had graduated with full-time offers or converted their summer roles, I was interning hoping it might turn into something.

I can’t emphasize enough the power of networking, persistence and flexibility! While there are many more opportunities now than there were ten years ago, remaining agile and seeking opportunities where you can always helps.

Working in social impact is often about driving change. What is the skill or trait that has been most important for your work as a change agent? How did you learn or hone it?

Driving change is not an individual sport. A key component of my success in sustainability has been focused on building community by finding allies and forging strong relationships along the way. Sustainability truly takes a village and this work can’t be done alone or in a silo. Identify the people in your organization that will help you push decisions forward on both the quick wins and tougher challenges. Your allies will help you bring along those that may be more difficult to influence.

Build the business case. The benefits of sustainability have been identified multiple times over. Find out what best resonates for your audience and make the case. Sustainability is not just a nice-to-have — illustrate why it is imperative from a financial, risk mitigation, reputation management, supply chain and business continuity perspective, etc.

I also try to put myself in someone else’s shoes and be reflective of their priorities. How can my sustainability efforts help them achieve their goals? Are there quick and easy wins that can help build support and trust to then tackle the more complex challenges? How does sustainability benefit us both so it doesn’t just become an add-on to their already long priority list.

What most excites you about the social impact space right now?

I am excited by the breadth of sustainability interest and opportunities that have emerged over the past few years. While I think some of this is exacerbated by the undeniable effects of climate change, it is also encouraging to know that more of us who are pushing to create meaningful change are being heard and companies are embedding sustainability into their business practices. Gen Z and even Gen Alpha are holding companies to account and advocating for the future of our planet.

Additionally, extended producer responsibility legislation has finally arrived in the US and it will force us to implement meaningful change in industries that have been holding out. No longer can we rely on a make, take, waste economy. While a carrot approach may have been more favorable, time is up and we will be forced to shift to more circular models of business. I am excited by the types of long-awaited change that will bring!

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