In 2004, Trenesa Stanford-Danuser was busy advancing her career in public relations at various agencies when executives at The Estée Lauder Cos. recruited her to become vice president of global communications for the company’s Origins brand. That role soon expanded to vice president of global communications and strategic alliances for Origins Natural Resources and Ojon Corp., another Estée Lauder unit. She now is charged with creating brand partnerships and collaborations that enhance the images of both divisions in 27 countries.

A Florida native, Stanford-Danuser graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and briefly explored a career as a television and radio journalist. She subsequently met an American Red Cross executive, who hired her as the director of communications for the nonprofit’s Northeast Florida chapter. But the north beckoned. She left Florida and spent nine years honing her public-relations skills at agencies in Boston and New York City. She was working as vice president of the lifestyle trends group at Marina Maher Communications when she was recruited by Estée Lauder. She thanks God for blessing her with a supportive family. “I owe a tremendous amount of debt to my parents, Robert and Theresa Stanford, and my dearly beloved brothers, Robert and Solomon, who have always encouraged me; and my husband, Chris, who has been the most loving and supportive cheerleader for my career achievements,” she remarks.

Stanford-Danuser has one daughter and is expecting a boy later this year. She is passionate about creating opportunities for the next generation. “When you are fortunate to have a successful career, especially in an industry with low minority representation, you have a responsibility to keep the door open for the newcomers,” she says. She is a member of the advisory board of the eWomenNetwork Foundation, which, among other charitable initiatives, provides scholarships to young community leaders.