Sherilyn S. McCoy

Sheri McCoy is chief executive officer and a director of Avon Products, Inc., a company that has empowered and inspired women for more than 125 years. She is responsible for driving new long-term growth initiatives, developing earnings opportunities for women, and advancing Avon as the world’s premier direct seller of quality beauty products.

McCoy joined Avon after a distinguished 30-year career at Johnson & Johnson, most recently serving as vice chairman of the executive committee. As vice chairman, she was responsible for the pharmaceutical and consumer business segments, which represented more than 60 percent of the company’s revenues.

As the worldwide chairman of the pharmaceuticals group, McCoy led the organization through a major restructuring and integration effort that strengthened the product pipeline, boosted innovation, and significantly improved operating efficiencies.

As the head of Johnson & Johnson’s consumer business, McCoy had oversight for the development and marketing of products that touch women’s lives every day, including Neutrogena, Aveeno, and Johnson’s Baby Oil. Additionally, she had oversight for Baby Center, the world’s leading online community for new and expecting mothers. McCoy is a passionate advocate for customer focus and product quality, recognizing that trusted day-to-day products help make consumers’ lives healthier and better.

McCoy joined Johnson & Johnson as a scientist in research and development in 1982 and holds four U.S. patents for her work in that role. She subsequently managed businesses in every major product sector, including consumer, prescription medicines, and medical devices. She had responsibility for key markets worldwide, including businesses in China and Brazil, operating responsibility for the medical device and diagnostics business in Latin America, and the global presidency of the baby and wound care consumer franchises.

McCoy believes that a great company begins with passionate and empowered people. Throughout her career, she has consistently promoted employee engagement, leadership development, and diversity of thought. She is committed to Avon’s five core values of trust, respect, belief, humility, and integrity.

Born in Quincy, MA, McCoy earned a bachelor of science degree in textile chemistry from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. She earned a master of science degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University and a master of business administration degree from Rutgers University.

In 2013, McCoy ranked number 20 on Fortune magazine’s “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” list, on which she has been included since 2008. She serves on the boards of Partnership for New York, Catalyst, Stonehill College, and FIRST, a non-profit organization created to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology.