“It’s important to expand your opportunities and explore what drives your passion.” – Ukachi Anonyuo
Ukachi Anonyuo, who earned her BS degree in industrial and systems engineering in 2001, returned to Rutgers to earn her MBA in 2015. For more than 20 years, she has assumed roles of increasing responsibility for companies such as Coty, Avon Products, Inc., and The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Today, as vice president for global packaging innovation strategy and portfolio management, she leads The Estée Lauder Companies end-to-end strategic packaging-driven program and product portfolio initiatives across all functions of the global enterprise. A 2022 Rutgers Business School Alumni Rising Star, she serves on a number of education, beauty, and community-based boards, including Cosmetics Industry Buyers & Sellers (CIBS), the School of Engineering Packaging Advisory Board, and Rutgers African American Alliance Association (RAAA), where she has worked to raise scholarship funds for underrepresented engineering students. She also volunteers and mentors for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Young Women’s Leadership School, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She is the School of Engineering’s 2023 Convocation speaker.
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Newark, NJ and I’m from a Rutgers family. My dad was a teacher, and my mom, who did part of her master’s degree at Rutgers, was in social work. All my brothers and sisters went to RU at some point. My sister Lebe, like me, majored in industrial engineering.
Besides being from a Rutgers family, why else did you choose Rutgers?
It was strictly for basketball. I looked for a university that had engineering, and a good basketball team. I didn’t want finances to be a barrier. I was recruited to play basketball for Rutgers-Newark and received a basketball scholarship, so my first year was basically free.
After freshman year, my Rutgers experience became less about basketball and more about engineering.
Why Industrial and Systems Engineering?
There were more options. I first looked at electrical engineering, but saw that industrial engineering was more holistic. I’ve always wanted to drive impact and change.
What led you to pursue a Rutgers MBA?
While working at The Estee Lauder Companies, I realized that my impact and perspective could be broader than just in the field of packaging.
My undergraduate degree taught me how to think, and my MBA taught me how to think strategically – and expanded my global mindset. I could look through multiple lenses, not just a technical lens.
What led you to the cosmetic and beauty industry?
It was not an intentional choice. My intention as an industrial engineer was to work in a plant, or at a consulting firm. Beauty wasn’t on my list. I fell into packaging by happy accident.
What I learned about the industry propelled me to stay in it. That’s why I’m so intentional about explaining my industry to the younger generation. I want them to be aware of opportunities in non-traditional areas that may not be what a young engineer might think of. It’s important to expand your opportunities and explore what drives your passion.
What do you most enjoy about your work?
I enjoy making an impact internally with co-workers and externally with the community, and the beauty industry. I enjoy being around a diverse set of people and working as part of a team – that’s what really fuels me.
I enjoy the global mindset: how I think in New Jersey is different from how someone thinks in LA, Dallas, China, or Africa.
How would you describe your leadership style?
It’s a “we” mentality that is team-based and inclusive. It’s about empowerment. It’s about understanding why you’re doing something and how it fits into the big picture. My teams always say that we don’t like the word “I.”
I believe in transparency. I like to provide context to my team members as to why something is important, so they understand what they are doing and why. Their understanding gives an incentive to produce and deliver more. People work for people and need to believe in you. You can’t really lead teams successfully without this trust.
Have you mentored any Rutgers engineering students?
Yes, many, many. And I still do. In the last couple of years, I’ve become an advocate for Rutgers, even in my industry, and would like to see more Rutgers student interns, and hires at the Estee Lauder Companies.
Can you talk a little about your work in raising scholarships for underrepresented engineering students?
My friend, Nasir Shakir who graduated in 1999 with a degree in electrical engineering, passed away in 2020. He had long given back to Rutgers by funding scholarships. His passing incentivized me to start a Nasir Shakir Memorial Scholarship to find the next Nasir and give that student the same opportunities Nasir had. Working with the Rutgers University foundation, and the Rutgers African American Alliance Association, we raised more than $$50,000 in just three years, and will be awarding the first scholarship this fall at the MEET/NSBE alumni banquet.
What does it mean to you to be giving the School of Engineering convocation address?
For me, it’s a full circle moment. I remember from my time freshman year when I didn’t know if I was going to make it. In 2001 I was so happy to graduate and then went back to RU years later to earn my MBA. To come back now to speak to an audience and share my story and pride in the school speaks volumes.
What advice do you have for today’s engineering students?
Stay the course. You don’t know where you’ll end up, or what life will bring you. Everything happens for a reason.
What did you do for fun when you were a student?
I went to parties. I played sports. I didn’t have a lot of time, though, because I was always studying.
What do you do for fun these days?
I like to travel and experience different cultures and learn new things. I just came back from a vacation in Dubai and Egypt.
Where would you like to go on your next vacation?
Honestly, I think Australia or Antarctica. It’s on my bucket list to hit every continent.
