Our enitre Avon family is saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Xiaochun Luo, Chief Scientific Officer. Her passion for science and innovation inspired us all. Her commitment to the team she led and her warm friendship will be remembered forever.
Tributes
Leave a tributeHow you cared for your employees. When we talked it was about our families and not work all the time. You were a friend. And I will remember how good you were to me always
Rest in heavenly peace
vicki powell
rest angel
Lisa
bless your heavenly soul.
Lisa Gallo
We miss everyday in R&D . Your spirit and teaching are always guiding everyone. You will always be with us
You are truly missed. Miss your excitement in the status meeting when my team shared a new formula or an idea. Today is yet another day in our heart forever.
Lisa
She was a dear friend to me and I will cherish the many wonderful memories I have of Xiaochun. She has left a strong legacy in R&D with her many achievements and inspirational leadership. Her vibrant spirit will live on in our hearts but she will be greatly missed. My prayers are with her dear family who were always in her thoughts. My she rest in peace.
Beyond her technology leadership, Xiaochun showered us with her wisdom. She patiently helped me understand that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. “Others are smart” meant to try first to understand why they may have a different – and valid - point of view, when I couldn’t imagine why my persuasive arguments weren’t making any headway. She taught us much about collaboration and true teamwork. She said she really wanted R&D leaders to be a true team. And then she role modeled that on every occasion together afterward, deeply listening to all points of view, encouraging everyone to contribute and respecting all.
Xiaochun compassionately led us through some difficult times for our business, including three rounds of downsizing. She shouldered as much of the burden herself as long as she could, but involved us where needed to make difficult headcount decisions. She taught us by example how to wear a “big hat” where the organization’s greater good came before any of our own interests. This credibility, her strong influence skills and the quiet resolve she had when wearing her red dress for budget discussions earned her the ultimate compliment from our CFO Kimberly, who entitled her “Toughest Budget Negotiator” in the company.
Above all else, Xiaochun’s compassion leaves the strongest imprint on Avon and on each and every person she touched. During those tough headcount reduction exercises, more than once we found Xiaochun crying over spreadsheets late at night in her office. She cared for each and every R&D associate with the compassion of a big sister, and worked tirelessly to find the right fit somewhere in the organization wherever possible. She always made the tough decisions the business required, but all impacted – and all who remained - were comforted by her care and concern.
I wish I had words to convey to you the deep love and admiration all in R&D and across the company have for Xiaochun. Walking through labs and offices over the past few days, we’ve been so deeply touched by the stories each colleague has to share. The chemist she recognized as new in the lab, and quietly asked a co-worker his name so she could introduce herself and welcome him. The associate she sent home from an important meeting at work so she could see her second grader give a performance in a school play. The two associates on their way to the Avon holiday party she hosted at Mt. Fuji, who were dancing in their parked car to music when she tapped on the window and started dancing with them. So authentic, so humble, connecting with all as equals, as a sister, as a friend.
Xiaochun described Avon as a special place, and a company with a “big heart”. There is no one that better exemplifies all that is good with our culture and no one with a bigger heart. We will try our best to honor her legacy and keep this compassion alive. There has been an outpouring of grief over the past several days, but co-workers have also been bonding together and sharing so many fond and funny memories. We have been a comfort to each other, just as she had been to us.
We wish we could offer some small comfort to her family and friends who have suffered such a great loss. Wei, Byran and Brandon, thank you for sharing such a remarkable and caring woman with us. Please know she has been deeply respected and deeply loved. She has touched our hearts and left each of us better in some way. We are eternally grateful to have had the privilege to know her. Her spirit shines brightly and lives on.
It was nice to see you in my dream last night when I heard about your passing. You told me you are happy and peaceful. I am glad.
We had many fun times together both professionally and personally. Thank you for being my boss, my mentor, my cheer leader and my friend. You will be forever cherished.
I have told Wei, Byron and Brandon to reach out any time as I am part of your friends and family. Rest in Peace as you told me you are!
Love you always
xo, Ginger
Leave a Tribute
How you cared for your employees. When we talked it was about our families and not work all the time. You were a friend. And I will remember how good you were to me always
Rest in heavenly peace
Memories of Xioachun
When I think of Xiaochun, I think of a passionate and courageous innovation leader who was a true scientist at heart.
Xiaochun believed that only through science and technology we can open new doors to transformational products that delight the consumer. She always pushed the boundaries in order to bring consumers new benefits that they didn’t even know they needed. One of the last formal meetings that I had with Xiaochun was to evaluate the use of a marine based delivery technology derived from sea anemones to increase skincare efficacy. Most scientists may only see the barriers and constraints, but Xiaochun was excited about the possibilities and potential. In our last e-mail exchange regarding this inocyte technology she wrote:
A reason that I push the discussions with the companies like this is to have ourselves more open to different ideas, and get more stimuli from the outside. Exposure to seemly crazy ideas can trigger novel thoughts.
When working in the fuzzy front end, she understood and accepted the risks of failure and the need for trial and error, - otherwise, we were being too safe and would never find the next big thing.
She was kind, patient and gentle, but that never stopped her from pushing her people to look beyond the obvious as we ventured into the often uncertain world of research and development. She challenged us by insightful questions and genuine belief that we can crack the proverbial nut. She always encouraged us to work smarter rather than just harder. I remember her description of the “red and blue oceans” as an analogy of where we should compete. Instead of trying to compete with bigger and stronger competitors in the red ocean, where they already have a stronghold, look for the blue ocean, where it is not yet stained with blood by fierce competition. She explained that we should find novel areas and benefits that can establish Avon’s competitive advantage. It’s no surprise that under her leadership we discovered and launched many award-winning and first to market innovations such as Magix, Lotus Shield and the many amazing breakthroughs under the Anew skincare brand.
All that aside, some of my fondest memories of Xiaochun were the informal brainstorms we’ve had. As she walks through the labs, she would often ask, always with a smile, what was the most exciting thing I was working on at the time and she would light up as I explained. If I had a sample nearby, she couldn’t stop herself from playing with it and after a round of questions, she would say, “got it;” and then immediately launch to brainstorm mode, rattling off ideas of how to use the technology to bring new benefits to the consumer. I also remember the many project updates that would often run over the allotted time because she just loved digging into the nitty gritty of the science and its applications.
I will miss my interactions with Xiaochun and her genuine love for science. Her probing questions, animated stories and lessons will remain vivid in my memories.
Xiaochun, you will be sorely missed as a great leader, nurturing mentor and caring friend.
Sincerely,
Bing
A note from our business partner Sodexo
From: Martino, Joanne [mailto:Joanne.Martino@sodexo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 2:56 PM
To: David Siegel/SUF/US; Robert Kalafsky/SUF/US
Subject: RE: Thanks!
Hi Dave, Hi Rob,
Thank you for sharing.
I know it has been a very difficult week for everyone at Avon.
I have not been able to get to you in person, (I have spoken to Steve Toth daily) but know our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in the Avon organization.
Xiaochun will be greatly missed with our team as well. We have made a donation to the American Cancer Society in her name.
I hope to be in on Friday at some time.
Thanks,
Joanne
My tribute to Xiaochun
I was truly honored and humbled to speak about Xiaochun at her memorial service.I worked with Xiaochun for the last 15 years at Avon but had the good fortune to report directly to her for 7 of those 15 years. Xiaochun took me under her wings as I was put in a new leadership role that I knew absolutely nothing about. We became very close during those 7 years and she taught me so much. She was a brilliant, creative scientist who taught us all how to be our best. She never ever told us what to do but helped us to get their on our own. She had patience beyond anyone I have ever known, never loosing her temper no matter how difficult the situation got. She always made everyone feel their worth and taught us how to respect each other. Xiaochun never tolerated disrespect to anyone. She taught us to never let work get in the way of our family. In our updates, everytime the phone would ring she would check to be sure that her husband or boys didn't need her. If it was them calling she never hesitated to pick up the phone.
She was such a strong person, yet at the same time ever so gentle and caring. I was recently in a bad accident and with all of her responsibility, she made it a priority to bring my family food and visit me often spending her precious time with me. One of the things I will remember most was when she didn't think I was getting the right medication she told the nurses if they did not get me what I needed, she would go out and sit at the nurses station until they did. I told the nurses she wasn't joking and of course they did what she wanted!
Her generiosity was exceptional in so many ways. I used to compliment her on a necklace she used to wear and one day she gave it to me. I will cherish this forever. Xiaochun was so special to me and to others I could talk about her for hours but what I want everyone to know is that I am one of so many people she touched. She had such a welcoming presence and everyone loved her. She spoke to all associates regardless of their level and cared for us all. She loved spending time at our Holiday parties and picnics and even more so loved to beat us in the games we would play. She was the ultimate competitor.
It is impossible for me to believe that I won't get to see and speak to her everday but I will feel her presence everyday in the amazing legacy she has left for us all. Xiaochun, you will be forever in my heart.
Love always, Lisa Lamberty