Our Team
We are the foundation of Constellar and are here to support you every step of the way along your brand journey. We help you navigate each hurdle with compassion and years of industry insight and expertise. Together we can tap into our extended networks to ensure we always present focused solutions and align the right people with your brand.
Catherine - Founder
20+ Years. Supportive Mentor & Coach. Brand Building & Global Growth Expert
Industry Experience: Oribe, Bio Effect, Seen Hair & Skin Care, Maison d’ETTO, Tinge Beauty, Maya Njie + More
Catherine is a globally minded business alchemist who blends a unique mix of entrepreneurial expertise, coaching acumen, and intuitive wisdom to help founders cultivate thriving businesses.
Her career spans across multiple markets from building an international beauty distribution business in the Middle East to advising some of the world’s most well-known beauty brands on their global strategy. Working closely with high-growth start-ups and connecting them with investors, she has always been a founder that empathises with the highs and lows involved along that journey.
She is a certified coach and has a deep understanding of international markets and how to scale a brand successfully across different retailers and distributors worldwide. Catherine truly understands the process of a brand’s journey from start to finish and can help you with every step of the way. From brand conception to international expansion, including the intricacies of your pricing model and raising investment. She believes that business and intuition go hand in hand and loves to support founders to build sustainably successful brands that are driven to make a positive impact beyond the industry.
Laura - Retail Strategy & Expansion
20+ Years. U.S. Retail Expert. Supports B2B Channel Build, Brand Growth & Go-To-Market Strategy.
Industry Experience: Oribe, Chillhouse, R+Co, House of Wise + More
Laura has spent her career helping beauty and lifestyle brands strategically build from the ground-up and accelerate their scalable growth with leading merchants around the world. Specializing in North American retail expansion and high performance sales, she previously directed the retail channel for Oribe Hair Care and helped establish them as the #1 hair care brand across numberous prestige vendors.
As a tactical leader, she excels in building retail strategies and vendor relationships that usher your brand into a long-term success story. Laura provides you with the “dos and don’ts” shortcuts that every young brand wishes they had known at the beginning of their journey. With a direct and collaborative approach, Laura coaches your team through retail prospecting, vendor negotiations, market meetings, EDI configuration, product setups, promotions, sampling, sell-thru analytics, market research, consumer messaging, merchandising, trade shows, sales forecasting, field team mobilization and more. Her aim is to encourage, inspire and lead brands toward achieving their next big retail milestone.
Merrady - Storytelling and Branding Expert
20+ Years. Strategic Storytelling, Brand Building, & Brand Identity Expert
Industry Experience: Violet Grey, The Detox Market, Crème Collective, DIBS Beauty, Dr. Diamond’s Metacine, Luzern Labs, Dr. Karam MD, Therabody, Sienna Naturals, Addiction Tokyo, Treehut, Häti Home, Solara Sunscreen + More
Merrady Wickes specializes in authentic branding, captivating storytelling, and dynamic strategies through an expert lens based on 20+ years in the beauty and wellness industry. Whether it's nurturing new ventures or revitalizing established ones, she works to build roadmaps that ensure brands not only stand out, but flourish in an ever-changing landscape.
On the editorial team at tastemaker beauty purveyor Violet Grey, in her role as Beauty Director at pioneering green beauty hub The Detox Market, and in her most recent position as Brand Director at the creative, marketing, and sales agency Crème Collective, she has leveraged her expertise to tease out the most effective messaging and strategies for a multitude of brands.
Each brand has unique DNA, and her job is to articulate and hone it. She believes her greatest superpower lies in taking a vast swathe of research, personal stories, passions, and ideas, and distilling them into the most impactful and resonant story—whether creating a new brand, targeting a specific audience, or communicating a product.
Jacquelyn - US Retail Expert
15+ Years. Supports Brand Development, Distribution Optimisation & Go-to-Market Strategy
Industry Experience: Neiman Marcus Buyer/Planner, Diptyque, BYREDO, Sunday Riley, Molton Brown
As a results-driven Sales Director, Jacquelyn has garnered extensive experience in the Prestige Beauty and Luxury sector. Her career spans across various channels, including department stores, specialty retailers, and independents. During her time with Molton Brown, Diptyque, BYREDO and Sunday Riley, Jacquelyn has fostered strategic partnerships with major retailers such as Macy’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bluemercury.
Notably, Jacquelyn has driven growth with these partners while negotiating favorable terms, optimising inventory and prioritising brand development. While holding various positions at Neiman Marcus, she played pivotal roles in merchandise planning and brand strategies, contributing to the success of over 60 brands.
She is also a licensed Esthetician with 3 years of practical spa experience. Her expertise provides invaluable guidance to brands navigating retail expansion, retailer negotiations, sales forecasting, sales analytics, field team structure and market meetings with a direct and collaborative approach. She is committed to leading brands towards their next breakthrough in US retail with passion and dedication.
Caitie - International Growth Expert
10+ Years. Strategic Global Strategy, Sales & Execution
Industry Experience: L’Oreal, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Coola + More
Caitie has built her career supporting brands in strategic and scalable international growth. She has worked international positions in an array of beauty categories–from high-growth indie brands to large, established heritage market players. From fostering brands in their very early stages of international reach, to troubleshooting existing international models for established brands, Caitie provides both the holistic view of an executive and a lived understanding of how to execute the day-to-day of running an international business. She has deep experience in readying brands for international launch and can support you in choosing the right partners, as well as build internal processes to budget and account for what they will need to support your shared success.
Taylor - US Retail Expert
12+ Years. Omnichannel Sales Growth Expert, Retailer Marketing & Management Consultant
Industry Experience: Sephora Buyer, Sunday Riley, Gucci Beauty, Grown Alchemist, L’oreal Luxe
Taylor is a retail sales and marketing professional with over 12 years experience across category and account management, retailer merchandising and marketing. She has a deep understanding of the US customer and beauty landscape. As a former digital merchant at Sephora US, she developed firsthand understanding of how to grow brands at this coveted retailer. She oversaw the Luxury Makeup category, where she negotiated exclusive product launches, managed retail marketing campaigns and achieved phenomenal sales growth targets. Her expertise includes launching brands such as Gucci Beauty and Valentino Beauty.
Taylor has spent the other part of her career managing the total North America Sephora business as an omnichannel account director. This approach has allowed her a complete 360 degree understanding of what it takes to launch, grow, and sustain a business in a major retailer. She can help provide a framework of working with the best retailers in the business— and work with your team to create a sales strategy, retail marketing annual planning, product page overhauls, 360 product launch plans, sampling strategy, market meeting prep and more.
Leslie - US Retail Expert
20+ Years. Supports Brand Growth, Brand Development and Execution
Industry Experience: Nordstrom Buyer, Murdock London, Le Labo, Creed, Malin+Goetz, Kiehl’s, L’Oreal, Chanel + More
As a former merchant for Nordstrom, Leslie has extensive experience in both the off-price Beauty and Prestige Fragrance and Men’s Grooming categories. Leslie is accomplished in developing strategic execution driving optimum results in alignment with target plans to grow both business categories and brand partnerships. Additionally, she has retailer experience in the various marketing drivers used to grow awareness and drive traffic.
During her time with Murdock London, Leslie continues to collaborate with all partners to develop a playbook for learning, strategic growth and success. Her experience has fostered partnerships in many sectors of the business including boutiques, salons, to larger prestige retailers such as Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus as well as various functionalities including 3PL’s and store support. Leslie has experience in sales analytics, market deck presentations and event planning.
Her experience spans both brick & mortar and ecommerce platforms and she has a passion for fostering partnerships by communicating a clear vision towards the achievement of common goals.
Giselle - Mentor & Strategist
10+ Years. Early Stage Brand Development, Wellness Innovation & Go-to-Market Strategy
Industry Experience: Doctor of Eastern Medicine, Certified Herbalist, Wellness Brand Builder and Founder, Condé Nast Editor
As a triple board-certified herbalist and doctor of Eastern medicine, former brand owner and with a recent degree in innovation and consulting, Giselle brings a wealth of experience in wellness and early stage brand consulting. She has a diverse background that helps entrepreneurs with both big picture strategies and detailed execution.
Recognized as “One of the Top 5 Wellness Influencers” in Chicago, Giselle has spoken on green beauty and natural medicine at Unilever’s Innovation Lab in NYC and IDEO in Chicago. She has worked with brands like Soho House, The Hoxton, Design Hotels, and EQUINOX.
Formerly a magazine editor at Condé Nast, Giselle spent her twenties writing for The Los Angeles Times, MTV, Vice, and more. Her editorial background enhances her ability to craft strong copy, manage marketing projects, and curate events. Giselle then went on to launch REMIX by Giselle Wasfie, a skincare and lifestyle brand. She managed all aspects of its development and growth, leading to its recognition by ALLURE as “One of the Top 21 Indie Beauty Brands” in America and distribution by Urban Outfitters. She sold the brand to a private investor in 2023.
Giselle’s passion for consulting with founders spans from creative direction and brand voice to ideating concepts and formulating products. She excels at working side-by-side with clients to nurture the development of a brand and brings informed, diverse insight to the table.
Rachael- Brand Sales and Innovation Expert
14+ Years. Brand Development, Wellness and Creative Innovation, Sales and Training Expert
Industry Experience: Cosmedix, Omorovizca, Swiss Perfect, Dr David Jack + More
Rachael is a dynamic and multifaceted professional with a rich tapestry of experience that spans across various creative and business landscapes. As the founder of her own successful bath brand, a writer for a children’s TV show, and a sales expert with over 10 years of experience, there’s little in the industry that she hasn’t encountered.
She has been part of beauty collaborations with the likes of the Victoria and Albert Musuem V&A) and has been called the “the spa guru” by Wallpaper magazine, this is testament to her deep knowledge and influencer in the wellness space. Beyond her expertise in sales and creative innovation, Rachael offers access to leading photographers, studios, artists, and videographers. This network, coupled with her hands-on industry experience, ensures that your brand’s aesthetic is not only elevated but also executed with your bigger picture strategy in mind.
She can not only help you elevate your brand aesthetic whilst ensuring you in to the right stores globally. As a qualified aesthetician she is an invaluable asset for brands looking to develop or refine product formulations, engage in new product development (NPD), or implement effective training programs.
With a passion for supporting brands in need of innovative, creative sales strategies, Rachael is the partner you need to take your brand to the next level.
Gregory- Financial Advisor
14+ Years. Financial Modeling & Investor Prep
Industry Experience: 8 Faces, Messiah and Eve, Seen Hair and Skin Care, RŌZ Hair + More
Greg has a background in economics, financial analysis and treasury. His solid financial experience has been honed in both charitable and for profit sectors, combined with entrepreneurial experience with a community driven gold mining company in Zimbabwe. Classically educated with plenty of international experience, Greg brings grounded, but creative financial capabilities to the Constellar team and numerous brand founders in the beauty and wellness space. His strengths lay in forecasting, preparing and guiding brand founders throughout the investment process, capital advisory, financial management and global transactions.