L'Oréal USA's David Greenberg Inducted Into Fragrance Foundation Circle

David Greenberg, chairman and former chief executive officer of L'Oréal USA, joined the Fragrance Foundation's Circle of Champions on Tuesday night at the organization's 2026 induction dinner.

"Everyone is here tonight," Linda Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation, said as she opened the evening. Beauty executives, founders, retailers and fragrance suppliers filled the ballroom for the annual honor.

Leslie Marino, president of the professional products division at L'Oréal USA, and Silvia Galfo, president of L'Oréal Luxe USA, presented the award to their colleague.

Who was in the room?

The night began with a cocktail hour. On both sides of the ballroom, guests discussed fragrance wardrobing and the future of the business before taking their seats.

In her opening remarks, Levy recognized past Circle of Champions inductees, including Jerry Vittoria, Tony Spring and Artemis Patrick. She also paid tribute to Annette Green, the former president of The Fragrance Foundation, who died earlier this month at 102. Green created the organization's annual awards ceremony and inaugurated the Circle of Champions.

"She was a woman ahead of her time," Levy said.

What did the presenters say about Greenberg?

After dinner, Levy welcomed Marino to the stage to speak about Greenberg. The two executives share Boston roots, and Marino worked the connection into her remarks.

"David Greenberg is a glass-half-full kind of guy. He's probably the most enthusiastic about beauty of anybody I've known," Marino said. "Yes, we park the car in Harvard Yard. We drink Donuts, not Starbucks, and we live happily in a New York state of mind, quietly rooting for the Red Sox."

Marino credited Greenberg with leadership that extends beyond beauty.

"He's one of the most empowering leaders I've ever worked for. He encourages you to show up as your authentic self, gives you the space to grow and learn and make mistakes and take risks," she said.

Galfo echoed that assessment, recalling the advice Greenberg has given her over the years.

"He's always reminded me to stay true to myself and lead in my own way. He's also told something very special: 'Slow down to go faster.' In every connect, lunch and drive-by, he's made time for me and my team, offering encouragement, support and, when it is most needed, a good laugh," Galfo said.

She offered one memory that has stayed with her: L'Oréal's 70th anniversary party.

"We were 3,000 people gathered in a massive ballroom at the Javits Center. There was not one spot without a platinum touch. We were dancing, laughing, singing. But the highlight was when he introduced Earth, Wind and Fire to the stage and spent the whole night on the dance floor," Galfo said.

What did Greenberg say?

After Galfo's speech, Levy presented Greenberg with his award, officially inducting him into the Circle of Champions. Greenberg then traced his career in beauty, from evaluating scents for Right Guard deodorants to his appointment as chief executive officer of L'Oréal USA.

His current role involves acting as an industry liaison with legislators in Washington, D.C. He framed it as a continuation of his first job in the business.

"I started as a marketer, and I end as a marketer because I'm now marketing our industry for beauty," Greenberg said. "We're not just selling wonderful beauty products that consumers love, but we're changing the world. Think about how intrinsically beauty is linked to culture, and as we all know, culture is the underpinning of society, and it's always evolving. That's why I often say that beauty isn't silly, beauty isn't superficial, beauty is essential."

He closed with a line that drew the evening's theme together.

"You cannot live without beauty. If the world had no beauty, it would be a very dark and sad place, and it certainly would not smell very good," Greenberg said.

The induction places Greenberg in the company of Vittoria, Spring and Patrick, and it comes as his Washington liaison work positions the fragrance industry's case directly before federal legislators.