Tao Zheng, Ph.D., MBA

Esteé Lauder Companies

Dr. Tao Zheng has been an innovation leader and material scientist with 26 years of experience in the beauty and personal care industry. He is currently the Executive Director of SPF and Skin Care Innovation at Estée Lauder Companies. He leads a team of scientists to create, design, and implement key innovation programs to develop breakthrough technology platforms for cosmetic brands including Estée Lauder®, Clinique®, La Mer®, MAC®, Smashbox®, Origin®, Too Faced® and Tom Ford Beauty®. He also delivers formulation technologies and scientific insights with speed to ELC brands to drive novel, better and faster consumer benefits.

Prior to Estée Lauder, Dr. Zheng headed the Sun Care and Skin Care Innovation group at Edgewell Personal Care for Banana Boat® and Hawaiian Tropic® brands, as well as Program Manager and Scientist at Avon and Procter & Gamble for makeup and oral care innovations.

Dr. Zheng received his B.S. in Polymer Material Science from Tsinghua University, Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from University of Cincinnati, and MBA from New York University Stern School of Business. He holds 30+ patents and patent applications worldwide in polymer materials and formulation technologies. 
Dr. Zheng has been served as Judge for the CEW Beauty Awards for 7 years, the most prestigious awards in the beauty and personal care industry. He also serves on Scientific Advisory Board for the Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine, a peer-reviewed journal for beauty industry. He was also a member of Scientific and Education Committee for the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) in the U.S. In addition, Dr. Zheng serves as President at the Chinese American Cosmetic Professional Association (CACPA).