The Estée Lauder Companies has announced that Ronald S. Lauder has retired from its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Despite stepping down from this role, Lauder will continue his involvement with the company as Chairman of Clinique Laboratories, LLC.
As per the stockholders’ agreement, Lauder retains the right to designate two directors to the Board. His second designee, Eric Zinterhofer—who is married to Lauder’s daughter Aerin—has been elected to the Board, effective immediately. Ronald S. Lauder Announces Retirement from ELC Board of Directors, but his family remains actively involved in the company’s leadership, with his daughter Jane Lauder continuing to serve in her current position.
Lauder, who first joined the company in 1964, has had a long and distinguished career with Estée Lauder. He served on the Board of Directors from 1968 to 1986, again from 1988 to 2009, and once more from 2016 until his retirement. Reflecting on his departure, Lauder shared, “For more than 50 years, it has been an incredible honor and privilege to serve The Estée Lauder Companies. While I may be retiring from this position on the Board, I will continue to be committed to supporting this incredible company, the next generation of the Lauder family in leadership, and our family legacy. I am confident Eric’s experience and perspective will be an asset to the company’s long-term vision and plans to return to growth, while maintaining the values at the heart of our work.”
In addition to his contributions to Estée Lauder, Lauder has held prominent roles in public service, including serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Affairs from 1983 to 1986, and as the U.S. Ambassador to Austria from 1986 to 1987. He remains involved in several philanthropic and cultural organizations, serving as Honorary Chairman of the Museum of Modern Art’s Board of Trustees and President of the Neue Galerie, among other roles.
Ronald S. Lauder Announces Retirement from ELC Board of Directors, and the company has welcomed Eric Zinterhofer to the Board. Zinterhofer brings extensive experience in finance, investing, and global business, currently serving as Founding Partner of Searchlight Capital Partners. He has also been a senior partner at Apollo Management in New York and holds various board positions with several Searchlight portfolio companies.
Richard F. Zannino, the Company’s Lead Independent Director, expressed his gratitude to Lauder for his decades of leadership: “During his more than 50 years of contributions to The Estée Lauder Companies, including his service on the Board, Ronald helped build a foundation of excellence. While we will miss Ronald in his board capacity, Eric is an outstanding choice as his designee. On behalf of my fellow Directors, I thank Ronald for his leadership and many contributions and welcome Eric to the Board.”
William P. Lauder, Chair of the Board, also welcomed Eric Zinterhofer, highlighting his governance expertise and strategic insight: “As a member of the family, Eric will continue to champion the values at the heart of our company while bringing a fresh perspective at this pivotal moment. We are confident Eric’s significant governance experience, strategic insight, and industry knowledge will be an asset to the company and advance our plans for long-term growth.”
