She worked with Michelle Obama and Selena Gomez — now she's reshaping mental health in business

Key Concepts

• People-First Leadership: A management philosophy prioritizing active listening, empathy, and the well-being of team members over hierarchy.
• Corporate Social Impact: The integration of social responsibility (specifically mental health) into the core business model rather than treating it as a peripheral philanthropic activity.
• Imposter Syndrome: The psychological pattern of doubting one's accomplishments and fearing exposure as a "fraud," which Cohen manages through community support and reframing nervousness as excitement.
• Personal Board of Directors: A diverse, informal group of trusted individuals who provide varied perspectives, support, and advice across different life domains.
• Rare Impact Fund: A non-profit organization associated with Rare Beauty, dedicated to raising $100 million for youth mental health services.

1. Leadership Philosophy and Professional Growth

Elise Cohen, Chief Impact Officer at Rare Beauty, emphasizes that effective leadership is rooted in listening. Drawing from her experiences with Michelle Obama and Selena Gomez, she notes that both women prioritize listening to the individuals they meet, which helps them stay grounded and informed.

• Key Leadership Principles:
  • Listen more than you talk: Avoid the urge to fill silence; allow others the space to share.
  • Kind but direct: A leadership style that balances empathy with the necessity of achieving clear, actionable outcomes.
  • Empowerment: Leaders should actively invite others to speak, helping them overcome the feeling that they do not belong in a room.
  • Avoid "Management by Dictation": Instead of giving orders, ask questions that guide team members to their own solutions.

2. The Intersection of Beauty and Mental Health

Cohen explains that Rare Beauty aims to shift the beauty industry's narrative from "covering up" to "self-acceptance."

• Strategic Integration: The mission is not a side project; it is embedded in product development, marketing, and communication.
• The "Impact Model": Cohen argues that a business’s social impact strategy must be relevant to its industry. For a beauty brand, addressing mental health and self-esteem is a logical and authentic alignment.
• Real-World Application: Rare Beauty donates 1% of all sales to the Rare Impact Fund. To date, they have raised over $30 million and reached 3.5 million young people annually by supporting 30 non-profit partners.

3. Career Trajectory and Decision-Making

Cohen’s career path was defined by her willingness to step into high-stakes environments despite initial hesitation.

• White House Experience: Serving as Deputy Director of Let’s Move!, Cohen learned to operate under extreme pressure where every decision carried significant public scrutiny. She highlights the importance of presenting both the risk and the reward to leadership when proposing initiatives.
• Transition to Rare Beauty: Cohen was recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasizes that she was hired before the company launched, proving that the mission was a core pillar of the business from day one.

4. Managing High-Stakes Environments

To prevent burnout and paralysis in high-pressure roles, Cohen relies on two primary frameworks:

1. Internal Community: Relying on colleagues who share the same challenges to provide mutual support and coordination.
2. Personal Board of Directors: A diverse group of friends (including stay-at-home parents and professional peers) who provide advice on everything from career negotiations to logistics.

5. Practical Life Hacks for Efficiency

Cohen shares specific, actionable habits to maintain productivity:

• The "Make Your Bed" Rule: A small, controllable task that sets a positive tone for the day.
• Pre-packed Toiletry Kits: Keeping travel kits permanently packed and replenishing them immediately upon returning home to reduce friction during travel.
• Intentionality: Prioritizing community building regardless of location and avoiding the tendency to "save" things for a perfect occasion.

Synthesis and Conclusion

Elise Cohen’s career demonstrates that corporate influence can be a powerful lever for social change when the mission is deeply integrated into the business model. By combining a "people-first" approach with a rigorous, strategic focus on mental health, she has helped transform Rare Beauty into a brand that challenges traditional beauty standards. Her success is underpinned by a commitment to active listening, the cultivation of a diverse support network, and the courage to speak up in rooms where one might feel they don't belong. As she notes, "The moment that we stop fearing or feeling challenged is the moment that we stop growing."