Behind the Scenes with Esi
Eggleston Bracey
Unilever's Esi Eggeleston Bracey talks about managing insecurities, honing her purpose, and being brave enough to follow one's passion.
I've had the opportunity to connect with and learn from executives of major brands at MediaPost's Insider Summits. In the process I've discovered some truly impressive women -- not only for
the work they do, but their stories behind the scenes. With Brand Insider: BTS, I get to pull back the curtain on some of the most influential women marketers as they talk
about their path to success: the twists and turns, obstacles, inspirations and the valuable lessons learned along the way.
What happens when you stop trying to blend in—and start
leading at full scale? For Esi Eggleston Bracey, that shift didn’t just change her career, it helped transform one of the world’s largest companies. At the time of this interview, Esi,
then President of Unilever USA & CEO of Unilever Personal Care, North America, was already redefining what leadership could look like. Since then, her impact has only accelerated. In 2024, Esi was
promoted to Global Chief Growth and Marketing Officer, leading a sweeping global marketing transformation across Unilever’s portfolio while championing purpose-led initiatives that connect
brands to culture and performance. She has since been named to the American Advertising Federation’s 2026 Advertising Hall of Fame, an honor recognizing careers that have left a lasting mark on
advertising, business, and society. Most recently, Esi announced she’ll be stepping away from Unilever at the end of January, closing an eight-year chapter with the company. In this episode of
Brand Insider: BTS, Esi opens up with Lisa Singer about what it took to stop hiding parts of herself at work, and why that decision changed everything. The self-described “accidental
executive” reflects on finding her purpose, harnessing her passion power, and allowing herself to laugh in the office. As she pauses to prepare for what’s next, Esi’s story is a
powerful reminder: the most meaningful transformation—personal or professional—begins when you lead as your full self, with intention and purpose. You can watch the entire conversation
here:
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