Dr. Bronner’s Announces Promotion of Five Department Heads to Vice President Positions
Top-Selling Soap Brand Appoints Vice President of Sales, Public Relations, Engagement, Operational Sustainability & Innovation, and Human Resources
August 6, 2024
VISTA, CA – Dr. Bronner’s, family owned maker of the top-selling natural brand of soap in North America, is pleased to announce the promotion of five department directors to Vice President positions. Marc DeRosa, Ryan Fletcher, Bertine Kabellis, Darcy Shiber-Knowles, Lilia Vergara—all previously directors who head Sales, Public Relations, Engagement, Operational Sustainability & Innovation, and Human Resources—will now hold the title of Vice President of each of these respective departments.
“The hard work and success of all five of these departments has been an integral part of the company’s growth. Each of these unique leaders allows us to rock our mission in an authentic and effective way,” said David Bronner, Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO) of Dr. Bronner’s. “In their new roles, each of these leaders will continue to lead their departments and advise on Dr. Bronner’s executive council, which is comprised of representatives of the company’s senior leadership and guides the company’s decisions, operations, growth, and development, while protecting Dr. Bronner’s mission and values.”
The dedication and tenure of each of these leaders has been pivotal to the growth of the company, including the expansion of Dr. Bronner’s sales into mass market channels as well as internationally; expansion of product lines into personal care essentials like toothpaste and other products; the recent introduction of new Liquid Soap Refill Carton packaging; continued commitment to consumer education and advocacy campaigns to promote healing the planet and people; expansion of Dr. Bronner’s manufacturing facility; significant increase of the number of Dr. Bronner’s employees; and guiding the company’s unique activist and community-minded mission. With their dedication, all this and much more has been achieved without the company taking on any outside equity, and while maintaining Dr. Bronner’s as an independent and family-run company.
New Vice President Positions at Dr. Bronner’s
Marc De Rosa, Vice President of Sales, joined Dr. Bronner’s in 2012. Marc began his career in the Natural Products Industry at Dr. Bronner’s and has since moved through the ranks of the sales department. Marc heads North American sales operations for the company including its inside sales, wholesale, natural and conventional grocery, and mass-market divisions, and a team of over 35 staff. He oversees the company’s presence in key major retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Target, Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Trader Joe’s, and REI. In partnership with Director of Sales, Natural & Conventional Grocery, Gina Coccari, Marc is responsible for the company’s overall sales strategy and has been key to the company’s expansion and growth including shaping sales strategies for the launch of Dr. Bronner’s Virgin Coconut Oil, All-One Toothpaste, Organic Hand Sanitizer, Magic Balms, Magic All-One Chocolate, and most recently the national launch of Soap Refill Cartons into nearly 10,000 stores within one year of roll-out. For a full bio and headshot, see Dr. Bronner’s media center.
Ryan Fletcher, Vice President of Public Relations, joined Dr. Bronner’s in 2006. Ryan anchors the public relations team in managing the brand’s global PR strategy by promoting the integrity of Dr. Bronner’s brand and its “All-One!” mission. Ryan and the PR team have facilitated thousands of media placements on behalf of Dr. Bronner’s in the world’s most influential media outlets including recent features in GQ, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and Fast Company. The department leads the company’s earned media driven approach to publicity and helps develop communications, campaigns, and multimedia projects while playing a key role in Dr. Bronner’s activism and charitable work. For a full bio and headshot, see Dr. Bronner’s media center.
Bertine Kabellis, Vice President of Engagement, joined Dr. Bronner’s in 2011. Bertine and her team are responsible for coordinating the company’s experiential marketing, employee engagement, and community outreach programs as well as myriad other special projects, including management of the product donation warehouse and the All-One! Café which provides free organic and plant-based lunches daily for on-site employees. Bertine’s team also supports employee onboarding, and facility tours. Under Bertine’s leadership Dr. Bronner’s has launched multiple engagement programs that promote and celebrate the organization’s vibrant culture. In 2020, Bertine co-founded Dr. Bronner’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce which seeks to expand and grow an organization-wide culture of inclusion. For a full bio and headshot, see Dr. Bronner’s media center.
Darcy Shiber-Knowles, Vice President of Operational Sustainability & Innovation, joined Dr. Bronner’s in 2013. During her tenure at the company, she has built and oversees Dr. Bronner’s technical service and product development functions, including Sustainability, Compliance & Regulatory Affairs, Quality, and Research & Development. Darcy has led the company’s work to address and reduce its plastic use, including the development of circular bulk refill stations and Liquid Soap Refill carton packaging as well as supporting plastic and climate policy advocacy, and creating a plastic in-setting program. Darcy has also secured 100% renewable power for the company, launched their Green Team and Fair Trade Internship Program, laid the foundation for their employee-led zero waste to landfill initiative, and supports the company’s environmental reporting and climate strategy. Additionally, her team facilitates registration and compliance with Dr. Bronner’s many third-party certifications, including B Corp, USDA Organic, Fair Trade, Vegan, Regenerative Organic Certified®, and EWG Verified. For a full bio and headshot, see Dr. Bronner’s media center.
Lilia Vergara, Vice President of Human Resources, joined Dr. Bronner’s in 2012. Lilia oversees management of the company’s benefits package administration, compliance, payroll, staffing, compensation, safety training, and the growth and development of the company’s workforce. She leads the human resources department in helping maintain the All-One! mission and strives to foster an environment of inclusion and a forward-thinking approach to human resources. Lilia spearheaded the creation and development of the company’s current approach to staffing, recruitment, and hiring and the implementation of key programs to enhance company culture including the Child Assistance Program, leadership training, parental leave, and wellness programs. For a full bio and headshot, see Dr. Bronner’s media center.
“Each of these leaders have been key to the success and growth Dr. Bronner’s has attained,” said Michael Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s. “It is with great respect and gratitude that we promote them to their new Vice President positions. Each of these individuals are important stewards of our brand and our values and will help ensure our company sustains itself long into the future.”
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About Dr. Bronner’s
Founded in the U.S. in 1948, Dr. Bronner’s is the top-selling natural brand of soap in North America, maker of exceptional fair trade and organic chocolate sourced to the highest agricultural and labor standards, and a leading mission-driven brand worldwide. The company is an independent, family-owned business based in California, committed to honoring the vision of founder Emanuel Bronner by making socially and environmentally responsible personal care and food products of the highest quality, and by dedicating profits to help make a better world. Dr. Bronner’s commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, and progressive and ethical business is part of the company’s mission to put the “All-One” philosophy printed on the company’s iconic soap labels into practice and integrate these ideals into all aspects of its operations. The company caps executive salaries at 5 times its lowest paid fully vested position and donates all profits not needed for business development. In 2023, Dr. Bronner’s generated an estimated $199.5 million in net revenue and gave more than $5 million to charitable and activist causes. To-date, Dr. Bronner’s has donated over $100 million. The company celebrated 75 years in business in 2023. For further information, please visit: https://www.drbronner.com.