S2 Epsiode 5 with Beauty Executive and Founder Melanie Bender

Unfolding Leadership

Melanie Bender's experience spans two decades leading purpose-driven businesses, accruing industry accolades including Fast Company’s Most Creative People, WWD’s Beauty Vanguard, Glossy's 50, Beauty Independent’s Brand Builder of the Year, among others. Starting at Who What Wear as VP of Marketing and Brand Development, she helped build a $150 million annual retail business. Next, she was the founding president of Versed, which under her leadership, became the #1 clean skincare brand in mass channels. Most recently, Melanie was the CEO of Rhode, a minimalism skincare brand that was awarded Allure's "Best of Beauty," Beauty Inc's Newcomer of the Year Award 2022, and already ranked in the top 10 most talked about skincare brands on social media - all in their first year of business!