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Princeton University Athletics
June Lee Risser '94 / Women's Golf (First-Ever Varsity Team)
City, State / Workplace / Title
Ft. Worth, TX / Galderma Laboratories, LP / VP & General Manager, Consumer Business
Medical Specialty / Other Degrees (MBA/MPH, etc.)
I earned an MPP (Master in Public Policy) from the JFK School of Government at Harvard University after graduating from Princeton.
What made you choose a career in healthcare?
I began my career in management consulting, advising clients from many different industries on brand strategies and growth strategies. I then pivoted to work in consumer products marketing and I was drawn to brands that made a meaningful impact on health and wellness and the daily lives of consumers. I worked on Lysol (part of Reckitt Benckiser) during the H1N1 outbreak in the US in 2009 and was proud to say I helped educate Americans on the importance of hygiene and disinfection back then. I then started to work in skin care and help consumers and patients with skin diseases that impact their lives, like acne and atopic dermatitis and have now over 15 years of experience in skin health.
What is the focus of your work today?
I am the General Manager of the Consumer Business of a leading global integrated dermatology company called Galderma. It was founded to help Dermatologists, HCPs, patients and consumers in the US and around the world with their skin health. I run the Consumer OTC brands that are dermatologist-recommended, including Cetaphil, a leading sensitive skin brand and Differin, an Rx to OTC switch brand in acne.
How has your work changed in the face of COVID-19?
So many have suffered and lost their lives to COVID-19 and yet I continue to be grateful as I fully believe gratitude is the foundation for optimism. I am very thankful to our government leaders, health care and other essential workers and also educators who have had to pivot tremendously to virtual learning during COVID.June Lee Risser
During the lockdowns last year, the Dermatologists and HCPs that we serve were deemed non-essential and had to shut down. Our company pivoted to call on dermatologists virtually and send them product samples in the mail v. hand carrying them into offices. We also launched new social and digital marketing campaigns to educate consumers and patients on hygiene featuring Cetaphil bar soaps and face washes. Our manufacturing facilities also launched in record time hand sanitizers in Canada and in Europe to distribute to health care workers, as hand sanitizers were previously not part of our product portfolio. Home office employees started working from home virtually and accomplished great things working remotely. We provided hand creams to hospitals and nursing homes in the US, as there was great need for moisturizing with the hand washing that can be extremely drying to the skin of health care workers who are constantly washing their hands. We also launched social and digital campaigns to educate consumers on “maskne” and how they can use our products like Cetaphil and Differin to treat and prevent acne and skin irritation from frequent and prolonged mask wearing. There has been an incredible explosion of interest in skin care during COVID especially with all the ZOOM calls where your skin is “on display” and my team has done an amazing job providing products and education to consumers on skin health and hygiene.
How did being a Princeton student-athlete prepare you for the challenges you’ve faced?
Having ambitious goals and teamwork. At Princeton, we strove for the highest standards and worked together as a team. These same principles apply in my role during challenging COVID times. We were always treated with dignity and respect as students and as athletes at Princeton, and each of us had a unique role. As a leader now of a large team with marketing, sales, finance and many other functions reporting into me, I always remember that people come first, as people make the business.
What keeps you inspired as you look ahead?
So many have suffered and lost their lives to COVID-19 and yet I continue to be grateful as I fully believe gratitude is the foundation for optimism. I am very thankful to our government leaders, health care and other essential workers and also educators who have had to pivot tremendously to virtual learning during COVID.
Medical School / Other Affiliations
N/A
Tiger Heroes
In partnership with RWJBarnabas Health, the official health care system of Princeton Athletics, “Tiger Heroes” honors front line workers and health care leaders from our alumni community. This digital and social series highlights alumni from all 37 varsity sports programs who have risen to the challenge since the onset of COVID-19. We also recognize special Princeton friends and family. Nominations may be sent to Jess Deutsch, Princeton's Associate Director, Student-Athlete Services: jdeutsch@princeton.edu