Celia Tombalakian is Leading Innovation and Growth in Global Marketing through Strategic Insights and Brand Leadership

Celia Tombalakian is recognized as a high impact leader in global marketing due to her strong track record of success in industries ranging from beauty to pharmaceuticals, consumer packaged goods, and medical devices. Based in New York City, her career path demonstrates a dedication to team development and sound strategic planning to bring brands and categories to new heights.

Formative Years and Passion for Consumer Behavior

Originally from Northern Ontario, Tombalakian’s interest in business began at a young age. As a teenager, she volunteered at a hospital gift shop, where she took the initiative to re-merchandise shelves during slow periods, noticing how even minor adjustments in display could increase sales. This early experience sparked her curiosity about the psychology of consumer behavior and brand influence, prompting her to explore these fields further through her education and career.

In college, Tombalakian first completed an Honors Bachelor of Commerce, which laid the foundation for her future in business and marketing. Following this, she pursued a Master of Science in Consumer Behavior & Marketing Management at the University of Guelph in Canada. Here, she dove deeply into consumer data and its implications, as well as the psychology of what drives consumer decisions, with her thesis centered on how purchase decisions varied by the level of category involvement.

Career Path and Notable Achievements

Following her post-graduate studies, Celia Tombalakian began her career at Johnson & Johnson as a medical sales representative. Throughout her extensive tenure there, she had the opportunity to work across all three Johnson & Johnson  sectors at the time, namely Consumer Products, Pharmaceuticals, and Medical Devices.  Tombalakian did so in a number of roles, including regional and global marketing, mergers and acquisitions, and sales management. Some of her favorite assignments included managing high-profile portfolios, such as the TYLENOL® brand, leading a sales team in Atlantic Canada as well as integrating many newly acquired businesses including brands and people.

Through the years at Johnson & Johnson,  Celia Tombalakian was also one of the few marketers selected to undergo rigorous Six Sigma Black Belt training. After earning this certification, she completed numerous enterprise-wide projects across areas like manufacturing line efficiencies and marketing ROI, all while continuing to excel in her core responsibilities. This cross-functional expertise and keen business acumen allowed Tombalakian to make strategic decisions that drove tangible impact.  Her career at Johnson & Johnson culminated in her position as Worldwide Group Director within the device sector.

On her departure from Johnson & Johnson, Tombalakian joined Elizabeth Arden, which was later acquired by Revlon, as Senior Director of Global Marketing. This role broadened her strategic scope, allowing her to lead global product pipeline planning and oversee innovations across skincare, color cosmetics, and fragrance categories. She led key aspects of the development of Elizabeth Arden’s first integrated professional-to-prestige global beauty strategy. With a passion for consumer voice, Tombalakian also created the organization’s first digital consumer platform where 5,000 beauty enthusiasts could weigh in on strategic decisions or questions or participate in co-creation.

Tombalakian’s most recent role was as the Global Vice President for the Sally Hansen brand at Coty Inc., a position she took on in 2017. Tasked with reversing a decline in sales, she orchestrated a brand transformation that drove sustained growth through creative marketing activations and a robust innovation pipeline. Her efforts enabled Sally Hansen to reach record market share in key regions and facilitated their successful launch of new product segments, solidifying the brand’s position as the leader in the segments in which the brand participated.

The biographical information provided highlights Tombalakian’s wide-ranging expertise and impact across diverse sectors. Her ability to drive growth and innovation, coupled with her operational excellence, have made her a sought-after leader in the global marketing landscape. Whether leading iconic brands like TYLENOL or transforming Sally Hansen, Tombalakian has consistently demonstrated her knack for identifying and capitalizing on consumer trends and market opportunities.

Leadership Style Rooted in Empathy and People-Centric Values

Tombalakian’s personal and professional values, as outlined in the brand analysis, are closely aligned, with a strong emphasis on people-centric leadership. She believes that a people-first approach is the ultimate driver of business results, and that has been the foundation of her leadership style. She emphasizes empathy in managing her teams, recognizing that each team member brings unique value to the table.

Tombalakian’s leadership philosophy centers on building highly engaged, high-performance teams, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and prioritizing the well-being and development of her employees. This approach has not only contributed to her success as a leader but has also helped her develop strong, lasting relationships with her teams. As the brand analysis notes, “She views empathy and respect as cornerstones of effective leadership and strives to create an environment where each team member feels valued and supported.”

Beyond her daily work, Celia Tombalakian has also mentored young business professionals, sharing her expertise and perspectives through industry forums, panels, and advisory boards. Her commitment to developing talent and giving back to the community is a testament to her values and her desire to make a lasting impact.

Personal Life and Creative Pursuits

Taking a glimpse into her  personal life, Tombalakian shared that she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two young children exploring New York City and traveling abroad as well as spending as much time as possible with extended family and friends.

Tombalakian’s fascination with the intersection of technology and consumer engagement has influenced her continuing education such as earning certificates from Harvard Business School online such as Digital Transformation and AI Essentials for Business.  Nurturing her creative side, Tombalakian has also taken countless classes from local experts in architectural, interior and floral design and actively stays on top of pop culture which she states helps inspire ideas for new collections, products or color palettes .  This cross-pollination of her personal and professional pursuits is a testament to her curious and adaptable nature, as she continuously seeks to expand her knowledge and stay ahead of industry trends.

Conclusion

Celia Tombalakian’s impressive career trajectory and multifaceted leadership approach have earned her recognition as a trailblazer in the global marketing. From her early days at Johnson & Johnson, where she honed her skills across various sectors, to her transformative work at Elizabeth Arden and Coty, Tombalakian has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive innovation, growth, and brand leadership.

At the heart of Tombalakian’s success is her people-centric leadership style, which emphasizes empathy, collaboration, and team development. By fostering a culture of engagement and supporting the unique contributions of her team members, she has been able to deliver exceptional results time and again.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Tombalakian’s personal interests in design, technology, and continued learning highlight her dynamic and adaptable nature. As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, Tombalakian’s willingness to embrace new challenges and expand her expertise will undoubtedly position her as a driving force in shaping the future of global brand strategy and innovation.