Fragrance Creators president and CEO Farah K. Ahmed has issued a year end letter to Fragrance Creators members.
The letter reads as follows:
Dear Fragrance Creators Members,
It is my sincere hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well—physically and emotionally.
As I reflect on 2020, it has been a humbling year full of unprecedented challenges that have brought eye-opening learnings and opportunities for evolution. It has revealed new insights about ourselves and the people around us—who we are and what we are capable of, as individuals and as a community. It has yielded moments of both deep dismay and profound gratitude.
Previously: Fragrance Creators CEO Issues Statement on Cosmetic Fragrance and Flavor Ingredient Right to Know Act
This year has also further deepened my respect for and faith in Fragrance Creators’ leadership; our vibrant membership; and our dynamic staff team. You stepped up, came together, and exceeded expectations—demonstrating the power of a well-coordinated collective. With the year coming to a close, I wish to share three guiding principles that emerged that I hope we can all learn and grow from together in order to deliver more in 2021 and beyond.
Prioritize Courage. Individuals with authentic courage—strength of character—who are willing to stand up and speak out for what is right shine during the most challenging of times. Acting from a place of personal responsibility and always doing the right thing sometimes means feeling like you are left standing alone. But, when you rise up and reach that higher vantage point, you often find others who share your integrity and values.
This year, we faced physical disconnection from community and loved ones, as well as devastating illness and loss. Amidst worldwide struggles, our industry also faced shut-down orders, supply chain disruptions, and more; and yet, you kept showing up and contributing with tenacity. You empowered Fragrance Creators to act boldly and courageously—not just doing things we knew we could get done, but everything in our power to support your efforts to protect workers and promote public health.
Elevate Good Stewards. From the largest consumer goods companies to small, family-owned fragrance ingredient suppliers, our industry has been tested this year. But you continued to invest in Fragrance Creators as your platform for advancing responsible industry stewardship. This year, you demonstrated your company’s dedication to leveraging fragrance and our association for the greater good, and achieved so much, including:
Previously: Fragrance Creators’ Statement on Empowering Voices on Election Day
Swiftly adapted production to meet the rising demand for critical fragrance inputs into cleaning and disinfecting products, and donated tons of hand sanitizer and supplies to front-line workers battling the pandemic;
Worked to advance important consumer protections, sustainable innovation, and green chemistry;
Invested in empowering the consumer’s right to know and understand by developing accessible education through The Fragrance Conservatory; and
Volunteered time and expertise to develop and promote science-based policies and practices that are good for people, perfume, and the planet.
Thrive Together. The strongest cultures are those where a diversity of people and perspectives is embedded as an imperative and meaningful steps are taken to cultivate inclusion and collaboration. In the face of fear and competition, I attribute all that Fragrance Creators has achieved this year to our ability to operationalize this mindset. And now, we are ready to step into 2021 emboldened by:
- A more unified, values-driven, and engaged membership than ever before;
- An established Scientific & Technical program of world-class Scientists and Innovators, alongside our industry’s best-in-class Communications and Public Affairs professionals; and
- Time-tested strategy and relationships needed to educate, influence, and learn from a broad spectrum of stakeholders critical to our industry.
- As we turn the page on 2020, it is with a hopeful heart that I look to 2021, the opportunities it represents to work alongside each of you, and all the new growth to come as we continue to build goodwill for each other and for fragrance.
Most importantly, I want to express—from me and the Fragrance Creators team—our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and commitment to responsible fragrance industry stewardship. Best wishes for a calm and peaceful Holiday and prosperous New Year.
