L’Oréal names Rahquel Purcell North America DE&I Chief

Mason Carter 08/06/2026

L’Oréal Appoints Rahquel Purcell to Lead North American Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

In a move underscoring its commitment to inclusive leadership, L’Oréal has appointed Rahquel Purcell as the Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for North America, effective immediately. This strategic appointment signals a deepening of the company’s focus on embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into the core fabric of its operations and brand relationships across the continent.

Purcell steps into this vital role succeeding Liliahn Majeed. Her mandate is to drive L’Oréal’s DE&I strategy throughout North America, ensuring that inclusive workplace practices are championed and that the company continues to foster connections with diverse consumer communities.

Bringing a wealth of high-level experience to the position, Purcell brings a powerful combination of operational expertise and transformative leadership. Before joining L’Oréal in 2016, she spent twenty-three years at Procter & Gamble, where she honed her skills as a senior operations and supply chain leader. This background is complemented by her previous role as North America’s first Chief Transformation Officer, where she successfully led enterprise-wide transformation initiatives.

This history of leading complex organizational change positions Purcell uniquely to tackle the challenges and opportunities within DEI. She will report directly to Alexis Perakis-Valat, CEO of L’Oréal USA and President of North America, ensuring that the strategy is aligned with regional goals while maintaining a clear view of global objectives.

Beyond her new title, Purcell remains an active voice within the company structure, continuing to serve on L’Oréal USA’s management committee and the global DE&I leadership team. This continued involvement highlights the high regard in which her expertise is held across the organization.

The decision behind this appointment reflects L’Oréal’s recognition that diversity and inclusion are not merely corporate responsibilities but powerful strategic imperatives. By investing in inclusive leadership, the company aims to unlock greater innovation, cultivate diverse talent, and enhance brand relevance in an increasingly varied consumer landscape.

Purcell’s focus will be on strengthening the internal ecosystem of L’Oréal North America, ensuring that every brand and operation reflects the breadth of its consumers. This emphasis will drive initiatives designed to foster environments where diverse perspectives thrive, ultimately connecting L’Oréal’s products more meaningfully with people across the continent.