Fabrizio Freda is one of the most influential figures in modern beauty, serving a s President and CEO of The Estée Lauder Companies from July 2009 until his announced retirement at the end of fiscal 2025 .
Not only did he become the first non-family member to lead the iconic beauty group, but he also spearheaded a transformative era—guiding Estée Lauder through unprecedented growth, diversification, strategic innovation, and challenging global shifts. Career and Background Fabrizio Freda was born in Naples,
Italy, in 1957 and earned his degree from the University of Naples Federico II in 1981 . He began his career at Procter & Gamble , where he rose through the ranks over two decades, leading the Global Snacks division and later heading health and beauty segments, where he honed his consumer-centric approach.
He also briefly served as International Director of Marketing & Strategy at Gucci during the late 1980s . Joining The Estée Lauder Companies as President and COO in March 2008 , Freda quickly earned the board’s trust and stepped up as CEO in July 2009 , taking the reins from William P. Lauder .
This marked a distinctive break from the company’s tradition of Lauder family leadership. Vision, Strategy, and Achievements Freda’s leadership is defined by strategic vision and adaptability.
Upon taking charge, he launched a sweeping restructuring plan—cutting costs, consolidating brand pipelines, and globalizing the company’s scope…
