Gouzelle Ishmatova

Gouzelle Ishmatova is currently the Global Brand President for Youth to the People, a skincare brand under L'Oréal. With over 19 years of experience in the beauty industry, she has held various significant positions within L'Oréal, including leading global brand development for major brands such as L’Oréal Paris, The Body Shop, and Garnier. Her career reflects a strong commitment to sustainable innovation and business development in the beauty sector.

Background and Education

• Nationality: Born in Russia, Gouzelle has a highly international background, having studied in London and managed multicultural teams at L'Oréal's headquarters in Paris.
• Education:
  • Executive MBA from London Business School (2014-2015)
  • Master's degree in Financial Management from St. Petersburg State University (1999-2004)
  • Completed the Aspiring Directors Programme at INSEAD.

Professional Experience

• Current Role: Since January 2023, she has been leading Youth to the People, focusing on transforming innovative ideas into real products and expanding the brand's market presence.
• Previous Roles:
  • Served as Chief Strategy Officer for L'Oréal's corporate venture fund.
  • Extensive experience in brand management across several well-known beauty brands.

Personal Interests

In addition to her corporate role, Gouzelle is passionate about photography, exploring themes of identity and gender roles through her work. She has participated in notable photography workshops and exhibitions, with her first photobook titled "My Country is Female" published in July 2022.

Languages

Gouzelle is multilingual, proficient in Russian (native), English (full professional), and French (professional working proficiency).

Her diverse expertise and leadership in the beauty industry position her as a significant figure in promoting sustainable practices and innovation at L'Oréal.