In this Article
- Did you have any childhood experiences that led you or people who encouraged you to pursue science and technology in your career?
- What is most rewarding about your work with Mary Kay?
- As an immunologist, where do you see the opportunity for the greatest advances in early detection and cancer treatments over the next five years?
- As a mom of four boys, what do you hope you teach them about the importance of giving back?
- What differentiates Baylor Scott & White from other healthcare systems?
Chief Innovation Officer, Product and Science Mary Kay Inc.
In this Article
- Did you have any childhood experiences that led you or people who encouraged you to pursue science and technology in your career?
- What is most rewarding about your work with Mary Kay?
- As an immunologist, where do you see the opportunity for the greatest advances in early detection and cancer treatments over the next five years?
- As a mom of four boys, what do you hope you teach them about the importance of giving back?
- What differentiates Baylor Scott & White from other healthcare systems?
Lucy Gildea, PhD, has over 20 years of experience in global product development across numerous product categories. As chief innovation officer, product and science at Mary Kay Inc., Dr. Gildea stands at the forefront of cutting-edge scientific research. Since joining Mary Kay in 2017, she has helped secure its status as a leading skincare and nutrition innovator in the direct selling and cosmetics industries.
Through her role, Dr. Gildea has become deeply involved with Baylor Scott & White Health, serving on the BSW Dallas Foundation board and as development chair and incoming vice chair for the BSW Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center board.
Did you have any childhood experiences that led you or people who encouraged you to pursue science and technology in your career?
Since I can remember, I have been drawn to science. I have been lucky enough to have opportunities and mentors throughout my life that kindled my curiosity and ultimately drove me to pursue a career in the scientific field. I had a great opportunity to intern in a state police forensic crime lab for several summers, as well as an internship in an academic laboratory doing biomedical research while in college. Both further fueled my passion for a career in the scientific field and ultimately led me to pursue an education in cell and molecular biology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, focusing primarily
on immunology and infectious disease.
What is most rewarding about your work with Mary Kay?
There’s a saying at Mary Kay that “a lipstick can change the world,” and I truly believe it because I am fortunate to witness it every day. My work allows me to consider complex facets of the global beauty industry while utilizing my background to drive innovation, stretch boundaries and empower women through our cutting-edge research and products. Additionally, Mary Kay’s philanthropic commitment to advance cancer research and other causes that impact women, resonates greatly with me. As a woman, a scientist and a beauty consumer—what better place for all of this to come together than a career at Mary Kay!
As an immunologist, where do you see the opportunity for the greatest advances in early detection and cancer treatments over the next five years?
Advancements in cancer research are seeing improvements in earlier detection and better treatment than ever before. Researchers are experiencing breakthroughs in immunotherapies targeting cellular pathways and combining agents to produce long-lasting results and survivorship. Much remains to be discovered, but this is an exciting area with life-saving outcomes. I also see enormous opportunities for artificial intelligence to contribute to better detection and earlier diagnosis as imaging technology and databases improve. These discoveries all come with a substantial investment—philanthropy has been and
As a mom of four boys, what do you hope you teach them about the importance of giving back?
I want my boys to understand they have the ability to make a difference, and their actions—no matter how small—can have a significant impact. While each of my boys has a unique personality and diverse interests, my hope is that they all have gratitude for the blessings in their lives and pay it forward to causes that bring them joy, serve a greater purpose or are meaningful to them. There is no wrong way to give back, except by doing nothing at all. I hope I have instilled in my boys an innate need and desire to do their part in making the world a better place for others.
What differentiates Baylor Scott & White from other healthcare systems?
If longevity and size—operating over 100 years and being the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas—aren’t enough, Baylor Scott & White solidifies its position at the
forefront of innovation and driving progress by continuously funding breakthrough research. They continue to build a strong community by providing education and training for future leaders in the healthcare industry and equipping its facilities with the latest medical technology, healthcare providers and staff to maintain the highest quality care for patients.
