Coty CEO Sue Nabi has been named as one of the most influential LGBTQ+ business leaders.
The executive placed ninth in Fortune’s inaugural LGBTQ+ Leaders List ranking the revenue of CEOs and co-founders who also openly identify as part of the community.
The nominee's respective companies had to have reported at least US$100m in annual revenues to make the list, which was curated by Fortune's Lists Director Grethe Schepers.
"Representation matters. Today's businesses should reflect who we are and our shared values,” said Fortune's Executive Editor in Europe Alex Wood Morton, who co-authored the list.
“The inaugural Fortune LGBTQ+ Leaders list is a marker of how far we have come and how much work still needs to be done.”
Nabi has helmed Coty since July 2020 as the company’s first female and transgender CEO, taking over from Peter Harf who remained as Chairman.
She began her beauty career at L’Oréal in 1993 and became the youngest-ever CEO of L’Oréal Paris.
Nabi would go on to lead the Lancôme brand for three years before co-founding the luxury genderless skin care brand Orveda in 2018.
“I love saying to people, judge me on what I do rather than who I am,” said Nabi in an interview with Fortune.
Nabi is not the only beauty executive to land a top ten ranking, with Giorgio Armani, the luxury fashion house’s eponymous founder, placing 10th in the list.
Armani established the business in 1975 and partnered with L'Oréal in 1980 to launch fragrances and beauty products.
Armani's dedicated beauty brand would then launch in 2000, with the Luminous Skin Foundation becoming one of the business’ hero products.
Rounding off the list of beauty LGBTQ+ beauty leaders are Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, co-founders of Italian fashion house and fragrance brand Dolce & Gabbana.
"Fortune lists have often shined a light on the companies that shape our world and the people who run them,” added Schepers.
“The new Fortune LGBTQ+ Leaders list continues this legacy of informing and inspiring readers, celebrating strong leadership marked by authenticity and courage."
Tim Cook, Apple CEO, George Cheeks, co-CEO of Paramount Global, and António Simões, CEO of Legal & General, also ranked within the LGBTQ+ Leaders List’s top ten leaders.
Read more:
- Coty's 'cultural shift': Sue Nabi reveals her strategy as CEO to employees as she starts new role
- Coty officially listed on Paris Stock Exchange
- Global President of Armani Beauty Véronique Gautier exits after 13 years
- Update: How D&G beauty is transforming into a €3 billion business
