Katherine Mendoza

Over 27 years of diverse experience in Science, R&D Innovation and Consumer Research across the Academe and FMCG, FMCH and Nutrition industries. Kathy leads the Consumer Science & Product Experience Global Community of Practice (CSPX COP) responsible for defining, shaping and influencing the CSPX innovation strategy including developing leading-edge capabilities on consumer and sensory science in Haleon. Previous to this, Kathy led the CSPX for APAC and China where she created and championed product experiences that are relevant and preferred by consumers. She provided leadership in driving and influencing the innovation pipeline and portfolio across multiple categories in consumer healthcare (OTC – Pain Relief, OTC Respiratory health, Wellness and Oral Care) for APAC and China markets. As CSPX lead, she enabled the design of superior product experiences and drives consumer empathy and centricity in Haleon. Kathy has enabled successful launches in the market for brands like Centrum, Caltrate, Sensodyne, Panadol, Iodex, Voltaren, ENO, TUMS, Scott’s and Benefiber. Prior to Haleon, Kathy worked 6 years at Johnson & Johnson Consumer Healthcare, leading consumer, claims and clinical strategy and innovation for brands like Neutrogena, Clean and Clear, Aveeno and Johnson’s Baby and 8 years at Unilever leading the Consumer Technical Insight for the Deodorants Category for brands like Rexona, Axe and Dove. Kathy has led teams, set up facilities and established capabilities on consumer and sensory science driving pivotal consumer researches, insight to innovation programs, transformational programs driving innovation, employee engagement and digitalization, and the development and launches of consumer winning products.