Rashida LaLande didn’t come to play. The powerhouse attorney, who joined The Estée Lauder Companies last August as Executive Vice President and General Counsel, earned nearly $10.9 million in just 10 months on the job, according to recent proxy filings.
The multimillion-dollar package reflects both LaLande’s value to the global cosmetics giant and her rising influence in corporate law.
Her pay included a $2.8 million signing bonus to leave her former role at Kraft Heinz, more than $6 million in long-term equity awards, and additional salary and incentives — averaging out to more than $1 million a month since stepping into the role.
A Seat at the Top Table
As Executive Vice President and General Counsel, LaLande oversees Estée Lauder’s global legal organization, serving as a strategic advisor to the company’s board and senior leadership on matters of governance, compliance, risk management, corporate strategy, and acquisitions.
She also leads the company’s Global Privacy Office and Global Security Team, placing her at the center of legal and regulatory oversight for one of the world’s most prestigious beauty empires.
The appointment brought LaLande into Estée Lauder’s Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to Executive Chairman William P. Lauder and CEO Fabrizio Freda.
A Legal Powerhouse With Corporate Vision
LaLande’s credentials are formidable. A graduate of Harvard University with a degree in African American Studies and a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School, she brings more than 25 years of legal experience.
Before joining Estée Lauder, she served as Executive Vice President and Global Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer at Kraft Heinz, where she managed legal functions spanning corporate governance, securities, transactions, intellectual property, and labor and employment, as well as ESG initiatives and government affairs.
Earlier in her career, LaLande was a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, where she represented corporations and private equity sponsors in the consumer products, retail, financial services, and technology sectors.
Shaping the Future of Corporate Leadership
LaLande’s leadership represents more than just corporate success — it marks another moment of Black woman excellence in the upper ranks of the legal profession. At a time when general counsel roles are increasingly seen as strategic drivers of business growth, her presence in Estée Lauder’s C-suite underscores the critical role diverse leadership plays in shaping global companies.
Her rapid ascent and high-profile compensation package also highlight a broader shift: corporate recognition of the unique perspective, resilience, and expertise that Black women bring to executive leadership.
Breaking Barriers in Law and Business
With oversight of a legal portfolio that spans more than 150 countries, LaLande is not just advising a beauty company — she is influencing the global direction of one of the most powerful players in luxury and consumer markets.
Her success signals to young lawyers, especially Black women in law, that there is no ceiling too high to break.
