Andrea Jung: Modern Face of Woman Power

Andrea Jung is a Canadian-American business executive and a prominent advocate of women’s issues. She was more popularly known as the former CEO of Avon Products while simultaneously serving as the executive chairman of the board until her forced resignation in 2012. She has long been the face and icon of the company.

Jung’s mother was a pianist. Her father was an architect who once became a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Jung grew up in Wellesley, Massachusetts. She graduated from Princeton University as a magna cum laude.

Jung started her career with Neiman Marcus as executive vice president. She was handling issues on children’s wear, intimate women’s apparel, accessories and cosmetics. In 1994, Jung moved to Avon Products as president of product marketing. In 1996, she was promoted to the position of president of global marketing. Her responsibilities included market research and strategic planning. Eventually, Jung became Avon Products’ CEO.

Controversies around the company’s dropping shares forced Jung to resign in December 2011. This happened despite Jung’s inclusion in the Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women list.