Left: William P. Lauder, Chair of the Board of Directors, The Estée Lauder Companies. Right: The iconic pink ribbon symbolises the legacy of the Breast Cancer Campaign, founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1992.

As The Estée Lauder Companies marks the 33rd year of its esteemed Breast Cancer Campaign (BCC), William P. Lauder, Chair of the Board of Directors, updates TRBusiness on the vital work of the corporate social impact programme, which together with The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation (ELCCF) have financed more than $144 million to save lives through research, education and medical initiatives.

The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign (BCC) marks its 33rd iteration in 2025. What can we expect to see in terms of momentum, messaging and milestones (including in travel retail) this year?

William P. Lauder: Now in its 33rd year, The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign (BCC) continues to build on a powerful legacy that began in 1992 when my mother, Evelyn H. Lauder, co-created the Pink Ribbon and launched the campaign. She would be so proud to see how the mission has grown over the past three decades. The Campaign has become synonymous with advancing awareness, education and research. Its momentum is defined by a renewed commitment to not only raise awareness, but also to drive and advocate for proactive action, encapsulated in the message: Breast Care is Self-Care. We will continue to advance our mission through our partnerships with over 60 organisations worldwide. The Campaign remains a cornerstone of our company’s dedication to women’s health, supporting both long-standing and emerging initiatives on a global scale – the dynamic travel retail sector.

Can you offer an update on the vital work being carried out by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and the progress made in accelerating the campaign’s goals as we arrive at the three-year mark of the five-year $15m commitment to the foundation made by The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation (ELCCF) in 2022?

I’m very proud of the significant work we have been able to do in support of eradicating this disease. Together, The Estée Lauder Companies and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation (ELCCF) have now funded more than $144 million for breast cancer initiatives worldwide, with over $114 million supporting groundbreaking research through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Through the long-standing partnership with BCRF, The Estée Lauder Companies has helped drive critical advancements and innovations across the entire spectrum of breast cancer research, including improving precision medicine uncovering the mechanisms of metastasis, addressing disparities that exist in diverse populations and enhancing the quality of life for patients. It’s critical to continue funding groundbreaking science and emerging technologies that are transforming how the disease is detected, understood and treated. To make the greatest impact, progress must be experienced equitably. In partnership with BCRF, The Estée Lauder Companies launched the health equity initiative with a $15 million investment to ensure that no one is left behind.

A recent study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) projects 3.2 million new breast cancer cases and 1.1 million breast-cancer related deaths a year by 2050 if current rates continue – up from an estimated 2.3m new cases and 670,000 cancer-related deaths in 2022. With this in mind, in which of the following areas do you see the greatest opportunity to make a demonstrable impact on the disease: Prevention, diagnosis, treatment.

Though we know there is still important work to be done, I’m incredibly proud of the progress made. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation continues to advance the world’s most promising research and fund investigators who have been deeply involved in every major breakthrough in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and metastasis. Breast cancer is a complex disease that requires a multiplicity of solutions. The greatest opportunity to make a demonstrable impact is to advance the entire spectrum of research. That is why The Estée Lauder Companies and BCRF remain committed to science that is tackling the problem from every angle.

Left: Philanthropist Leonard A. Lauder sadly passed away earlier this year. Pictured with ELC Global Ambassador Elizabeth Hurley (left) and his late wife Evelyn H. Lauder at the BCRF Gala in 2006. Right: The Breast Cancer Campaign has become synonymous with advancing awareness, education and research.

Leonard A. Lauder, a passionate benefactor of the BCRF and its Honorary Chairman, sadly passed away earlier this year. What legacy does he leave and how do you intend to draw on his qualities of philanthropy and altruism to shape the future direction of the foundation?

My father lived a life of generosity and cared deeply about making the world a better place. He was heavily involved in medical research, education, art, foreign policy and philanthropy and the marks he made on those worlds were transformational.

He was a long-time advocate of cancer research and served as Honorary Chairman on the board of directors at Breast Cancer Research Foundation, an organisation founded by my mother, Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993. The fabric of the campaign will carry on his legacy – a commitment to funding research, supporting communities and inspiring collective action to end breast cancer.

He used to always say, ‘let’s put breast cancer out of business’. This focus remains at the heart of the Breast Cancer Campaign until we do just that.

ELC and the ELCCF have now funded in excess of $144 million for breast cancer initiatives worldwide, with more than $114 million supporting groundbreaking research through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

What would be your final message to global travel retail – and global travellers?

We are deeply grateful for the passionate enthusiasm of the travel retail community for our Breast Cancer Campaign. And this year, as The Estée Lauder Companies encourages partners and travellers worldwide to wear the pink ribbon – especially at forums like the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes – the message to global travel retail and travellers everywhere is clear: United by a shared purpose, we can create a future where no one loses their life to breast cancer.

This feature first appeared in the TRBusiness October 2025 issue. Click here to read.

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