The 2005 American Woman Award
Andrea Jung

As Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Jung has directed the successful transformation of Avon Products, Inc., by defining its vision as the company for women. She is revitalizing Avon's reputation as the world's foremost direct seller of beauty products while leading the company into exciting new lines of business, launching a series of bold and image-enhancing initiatives, and expanding career opportunities for women around the world.

She was elected chairman in September 2001 and has been CEO since November 1999. Previously, she was President and Chief Operating Officer, responsible for all Avon business units worldwide. She has been a member of the Board of Directors since January 1998.

Ms. Jung joined Avon in January 1994 as President, Product Marketing Group, Avon U.S. In 1996, she was promoted to President, Global Marketing, and was later named by Brandweek magazine as one of its Marketers of the Year. In 1997, she was promoted to Executive Vice President and President, Global Marketing and New Business, responsible for Avon's research and development, market research, strategic planning and joint ventures and alliances.

Before joining Avon, she was Executive Vice President at Neiman Marcus, responsible for accessories, cosmetics and women's, intimate and children's apparel. Earlier in her career, she was Senior Vice President, General Merchandising Manager, for I. Magnin in San Francisco.

In March 2001, Ms. Jung became the first woman elected chair of the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, a role she held until early 2005. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the General Electric Company and is a member of the New York Presbyterian Hospital Board of Trustees and the Catalyst Board of Directors.

In 1997, Advertising Age magazine bestowed on Ms. Jung the National Outstanding Mother Award and named her one of the "25 Women to Watch." In 1998, the American Advertising Federation inducted her into the Advertising Hall of Fame. In 2001, Time Magazine/CNN declared her one of the 25 Most Influential Global Executives, and in January 2003, she was featured in Business Week as one of the best managers of the year. She has been ranked #3 among Fortune magazine's "50 most powerful women in business" for the past two years. In 2004, the Wall Street Journal named Ms. Jung one of "50 people to watch in business" and in December 2004 she was named one of "10 prominent people to watch in 2005" by Newsweek magazine. Ms.Jung is a Magna cum Laude graduate of Princeton University and is fluent in Chinese (Mandarin).

Click here to view photos from the event.