An Verhulst-Santos, President and CEO of L’Oréal Canada, has received three esteemed recognitions, solidifying her position as a leading force for positive change, impactful leadership, and business excellence within Canada and globally.
These significant accolades include selection in the Meaningful Business 100 (MB100), recognition as an Impact Leader by the Réseau des Femmes d’Affaires du Québec, and the prestigious Canada’s Most Powerful CEO award from the WXN (Women’s Executive Network), said the company, adding that these honors underscore Verhulst-Santos’ unwavering commitment to purpose-driven leadership, fostering an inclusive environment, and steering L’Oréal Canada towards remarkable success and societal impact.
Her vision and dedication have not only propelled the company forward but have also inspired countless individuals across various sectors, it said.
“These recognitions are truly humbling, and I accept them on behalf of the 1,750 employees at L’Oréal Canada,” said Verhulst-Santos. “They are a testament to our collective dedication to creating the beauty that moves the world, to our shared values, and to the relentless pursuit of excellence and positive impact in everything we do. It’s the passion and hard work of our teams that truly make these achievements possible, and I am incredibly proud to lead such inspiring teams.
“As the first woman President and CEO of L’Oréal Canada, I am proud of the diversity within our teams. I am strongly committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, innovate, and lead change.”
L’Oréal Canada is a subsidiary of the L’Oréal Groupe, the world’s leading beauty company. The Canadian subsidiary, established in 1958, includes a head office, plant and distribution centre in Montreal, a sales office in Toronto, and employs 1,750 people from 73 different nationalities. The products from its 39 iconic brands are available in all distribution channels, including hair salons, department stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, medi-spas and e-commerce.
The company said the inclusion of Verhulst-Santos in the Meaningful Business 100 (MB100), an elite global community of leaders combining profit and purpose, highlights her dedication to sustainable practices and responsible business. This recognition celebrates her strategic initiatives that prioritize environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and ethical governance, a mission she champions with her teams every day, thanks to L’Oréal brands’ social causes and the L’Oréal for the Future program, helping 110,000 Canadians each year.
“Evaluated by a panel of expert judges representing organizations like Google, Mastercard and the World Economic Forum, the winners were selected from over 900 nominations, across 86 countries and scored across five key areas: equity, impact, innovation, leadership and scalability.
Commenting on the 2025 MB100, Tom Lytton-Dickie, Founder & CEO, Meaningful Business said: “Firstly, a big congratulations to An Verhulst-Santos, whose inspiring work at L’Oréal Canada demonstrates how combining profit and purpose can tackle complex social and environmental issues. The caliber of this year’s applications was exceptionally high, and we’re honored to have An join our global community.”
Verhulst-Santos was also celebrated as an Impact Leader at the Gala of the Réseau des Femmes d’Affaires du Québec. A true driving force, Verhulst-Santos leads a full ecosystem that generates 20,500 jobs in Canada and an economic contribution of $5.2 billion in the Canadian economy, explained the company.
And Verhulst-Santos was honoured with the Canada’s Most Powerful CEO award from the WXN. The company said the esteemed award celebrates Canada’s most powerful women who have made significant contributions to Canadian society. It recognizes her exceptional strategic acumen, innovative spirit, and her ability to lead L’Oréal Canada to new heights, all while cultivating a vibrant and engaged workforce.
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