Lu Urdaneta, chief culture officer of global healthy-aging haircare, skincare and wellness innovator MONAT Global Corp (MONAT) and CEO of the company’s philanthropic entity MONAT Gratitude, has been selected as an honoree for the 2022 South Florida Business & Wealth’s Up & Comer Awards (SFBW).
This award honors young professionals in the tri-county area whose innovation in both their careers and their communities deserves special recognition. Lu was recognized alongside fellow honorees during an in-person ceremony and networking event on October 19.
Stuart A. MacMillan, president of MONAT Global said, “Lu has been instrumental in establishing a strong consumer social responsibility conscience for MONAT Global as she focused on our culture. I look forward to supporting her as she continues to find new ways to impact communities globally both as the chief culture officer and as the lead for our philanthropic organization MONAT Gratitude.”
“This is an exceptional group recognized by SFBW who are making major impacts in South Florida, and I feel so inspired by their accomplishments. It’s an honor to be recognized among them,” said Lu. “I’m eager to continue pursuing innovative strategies for MONAT and MONAT Gratitude to further our impact in this community and across the globe.”
Known for representing the heart of MONAT, Lu’s first role in 2014 was senior manager of recognition and gratitude. She built both departments to their current global operations. That same year, inspired to create a sharper focus on community outreach and philanthropy, Lu began a movement within MONAT Global that grew to become MONAT Gratitude, Inc., the non-profit organization where she currently serves as CEO.
Under her leadership, MONAT Gratitude launched a new grant program in September 2021 to help close achievement gaps in underserved communities, pledging donations of $1 million throughout a one-year period to nonprofits that support youth education initiatives. So far in 2022, MONAT Gratitude has invested more than $500,000 in youth education programs across the globe through these grants and has been recognized by the International Business Awards in 2022 for Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year in Canada and the USA.
Additional information about the company can be found at its website, www.monatglobal.com. More information about the efforts and philosophy behind Gratitude can be found at http://monatgratitude.com.