• View more photos on Flickr.

HOUSTON, October 17, 2023 — Asia Society Texas launched the ninth year of its signature Bank of America Women's Leadership Series with a luncheon program examining rapid changes and new trends in the skincare industry.

The panel consisted of Dr. Susan Chon, Chair ad interim and MD Anderson Cancer Center dermatology professor; Janet Gurwitch, Laura Mercier Cosmetics founder and current Operating Partner at Advent International; and Elise Hu, NPR host at-large and author of Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital, in conversation with moderator Rita Touma, Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at Bank of America.

In front of a sold-out audience of entrepreneurs and business leaders, philanthropists, and students from the University of Houston, Rice University, and the University of St. Thomas, the speakers covered a wide range of topics including the global expansion of Korean beauty (K-beauty), preventive measures for skincare, and what the future holds for the beauty industry. In addition to examining the industry’s trends and business practices, the panel highlighted the impacts of Asian products and routines in global cosmetics.

The panel began by exploring the cultural components that contribute to K-beauty's success and influence across the globe, as well as skincare lessons that can be learned from Asia. Gurwitch shared how experts taught her the importance of preventative skincare, while Hu described how South Korean manufacturers and consumers drive innovative practices, such as the multi-step routine made popular by the K-beauty industry.

In the thought-provoking yet entertaining discussion, the panel also emphasized that skincare should be approached holistically with a balanced approach that promotes health and overall wellbeing. Dr. Chon warned about the detrimental effects of UV radiation and stressed the importance of daily skin protection. Hu also underlined the need for high-quality sunscreen in a daily skincare routine, which she learned during her time in South Korea.

Furthermore, the speakers reflected on the business and investment aspects of the skincare industry, the impacts of social media, and how new online distribution channels have recently reshaped the industry. Gurwitch elaborated on current trends by noting an increase in men expressing interest in beauty products and wellness routines. Both Dr. Chon and Gurwitch agreed that today’s customers and consultants are more informed and aware than they were a few decades ago.

During the final part of the program, the speakers discussed skincare routines, sun protection, and evidence-based tendencies, as they answered questions from the audience.

View more photos on Flickr.

About the Speakers

Dr. Susan Chon is a highly accomplished dermatologist. She currently serves as the Chair ad interim and Professor in the Department of Dermatology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. In addition to her teaching role, Dr. Chon serves as the Program Director for the Skin Cancer Screening and Education Program and as the Quality Improvement Officer at the institution. Dr. Chon has an impressive record of research and publication. She has authored many peer-reviewed articles that have contributed to the field of dermatology. Additionally, Dr. Chon is the Principal Investigator for a skin cancer screening program funded by the Doss Foundation. Dr. Chon obtained her medical degree and dermatology training from Stanford University.

Janet Gurwitch is a highly successful corporate executive with over 25 years of experience in the beauty industry. She is currently an operating partner with Advent International, a Boston-based private equity firm, where she focuses on the beauty & wellness consumer sector. Gurwitch is the founder and former CEO of Laura Mercier Cosmetics & Skincare, a global brand of high-end niche cosmetics. Prior to founding Laura Mercier, Janet Gurwitch was the Executive Vice President of Neiman Marcus. Today, Gurwitch is an investor in and on the Board of Directors of Olaplex (OLPX) and the Houston Astros baseball team. She formerly served on the boards of consumer brands Tatcha, Drybar, First Aid Beauty, Dollar Shave Club, and Urban Decay Cosmetics, as well as the public company La-Z-Boy.

Gurwitch’s personal community involvement includes the President’s Leadership Council for Houston Methodist Hospital and trustee for Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. She has also served as Underwriter for the Drawing Institute for the Menil Collection, and she’s an avid supporter of the Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera. Gurwitch will be inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in November 2023.

Elise Hu is the author of Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital and a correspondent and host at-large for NPR. Since April 2020 she has been the inaugural host of TED Talks Daily, the daily podcast from TED that’s downloaded a million times a day in all countries of the world. For nearly four years, she was the NPR bureau chief responsible for coverage of North Korea, South Korea, and Japan. Her work has earned the national DuPont Columbia, Edward R. Murrow and Gracie awards, along with a Gannett Foundation Award for Innovation in Watchdog Journalism. She lives in Los Angeles with her three daughters.

About the Moderator

Rita Touma is a Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager focusing on delivering key banking solutions to healthcare, education, and not-for-profit entities in Houston, South Texas, and Louisiana. Based in Houston, Rita has over 25 years of diversified financial services experience in various roles including marketing and sales, strategic and technology development, and relationship, product, and program management. Prior to joining Bank of America in 2018, Rita was a Managing Director leading national sales, marketing, and business development for a growing healthcare technology company focused on revenue cycle management and patient and provider portals. Prior to that role, Rita was with JPMorgan Chase for 20 years, holding key roles in investment banking, treasury services, government banking, and commercial banking in both New York City and Houston. 

Rita earned her Master of Business Administration from the Columbia Business School in 2002, and a Bachelor of Science degree with a dual major in Finance and Management, with a minor in Political Science from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Rita is FINRA Registered, holding Series 7 and 63 security licenses. Rita is active in local non-profit organizations in Houston, serves on committees at the Asia Society Texas Center and the Greater Houston Partnership, and is a leader in the Bank of America Diversity & Inclusion Council.

About the Women's Leadership Series

The Women's Leadership Series (WLS) celebrates influential, diverse women making a substantive impact in both the business and culture arenas, locally and globally.

Previous programs:

2023 | Houston's Leading News Anchors
2023 | Asian American Women in Law
2022 | Philanthropists Leading With Passion
2022 | Huma Abedin on Public Service and Private Legacies
2022 | Cooking at Home, Writing from the Heart with Priya Krishna
2021 | Asian American Leaders Standing Up for Racial Justice
2021 | Women in Space: Breaking Barriers on Earth and Beyond
2021 | Innovation and Investment in Climate Change Solutions
2020 | Building Black and Asian Solidarity: Women Leading Across Race, History, and Culture
2020 | Women Responding to COVID-19
2020 | Women in Journalism: Ann Curry
2019 | Leadership and Success: Conversation with Former PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi
2018 | Women in Entertainment
2018 | Energy Executives on the Importance of STEM Education
2018 | Women in Culinary Arts: Christine Hà, Jenni Tranweaver, and Kiran Verma
2017 | Women in Fashion: Chloe Dao, Becky Hollands, Khanh Nguyen, and Naina Shah
2017 | Innovators in Medicine & Science with Keynote Dr. Huda Zoghbi
2017 | Women's Education and Empowerment with Keynote Cherie Blair
2016 | Women in Energy
2016 | Leading from the C-Suite with Keynote Lulu C. Wang
2016 | The Advancement of Women in Public Service with Elaine Chao
2015 | In Conversation: Dr. Anne Chao, Donna Cole, and Y. Ping Sun

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.