Celia Tombalakian is a seasoned beauty and personal care executive based in New York City, renowned for her ability to blend creativity, strategy, and innovation to drive brand growth. Originally from Northern Ontario, Canada, Celia’s foundation is built on curiosity and resilience, influenced by her father’s academic career in chemical engineering and her mother’s dedication as a nurse educator.
Celia holds an Honors Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Science in Consumer Behavior and Marketing Management from the University of Guelph. Her professional journey spans industries such as healthcare, consumer packaged goods, and beauty, including her most recent role as Global Vice President of Marketing for Sally Hansen. A dedicated enthusiast of AI-driven marketing, mentorship, and sustainable innovation, she is passionate about empowering teams and creating meaningful consumer experiences.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day always starts with a plan. I prioritize my tasks the night before, so I wake up with a clear sense of direction. Mornings are reserved for deep work—whether it’s strategy, writing, or creative thinking—when my mind is at its freshest. In the afternoons, I focus on meetings and collaboration.
To stay productive, I rely on tools like project management software and time-blocking. Recently, I’ve been experimenting with the Pomodoro Technique, which involves 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break. This approach helps me maintain focus, accountability, and avoid distractions.
But the real key is staying adaptable. No matter how well you plan, unexpected challenges will arise. Productivity isn’t about perfection; it’s about being able to pivot while keeping your priorities in focus. Lately, I have been experimenting with the Pomodoro Technique
How do you bring ideas to life?
Bringing ideas to life begins with active listening—whether to your team, consumers, customers, or the data. In my experience, great ideas can emerge from unexpected sources. I like to take an initial concept and collaborate with a diverse group of people. The friction that arises from different perspectives often uncovers valuable nuances and breakthroughs that help refine the idea.
From there, it’s all about taking incremental, actionable steps. I strongly believe in consumer testing and quickly iterating on viable concepts. Once you have a solid product, launching a pilot with a limited audience allows you to gather real-time feedback, which is essential for refining it before scaling up nationally or globally. The key is to gather as much authentic feedback as possible before expanding.
What’s one trend that excites you?
AI in marketing excites me endlessly. The ability to use data to predict trends, personalize consumer experiences, and optimize campaigns in real time is transforming the industry. But what excites me most is how AI can free up creative teams to focus on big-picture ideas while handling the more technical aspects of execution.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Daily reflection is my anchor. At the end of every day, I take 10 minutes to review what went well, what could have gone better, and what I need to tackle tomorrow. This habit keeps me grounded and ensures that I’m always learning and adapting.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. When I was younger, I thought I had to prove myself by doing everything on my own. I’ve since learned that collaboration and mentorship are essential to growth. Also, trust your instincts—if something feels off, it usually is.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that “nice” is a competitive advantage in leadership. Some might see kindness as a weakness, but I’ve found that building genuine connections and fostering empathy creates stronger, more productive teams.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Stay curious. Whether it’s reading about a new trend, attending a webinar, or simply asking “why” during a meeting, curiosity keeps you engaged and open to new opportunities.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I take a pause. A short walk or even five minutes of mindfulness can help reset my perspective. Overwhelm often comes from trying to tackle everything at once, so I’ll break tasks into smaller steps and focus on one thing at a time.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Building strong relationships has been key. Whether it’s with colleagues, mentors, or consumers, those connections create a foundation of trust and collaboration that fuels long-term success.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I launched a product with new, modernized packaging that aligned with our aesthetic but didn’t resonate with consumers as we had hoped. Instead of viewing it as a failure, I treated it as a valuable learning experience. We carefully analyzed what went wrong—specifically, rushing to market without sufficient consumer testing on the equity and perceptions of the current packaging—and applied those lessons to future launches. That experience taught me the importance of deeply listening to core consumers while staying objective and true to a brand’s ethos.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Trello is a lifesaver. It helps me organize projects, track progress, and collaborate with teams. I use it to break large tasks into smaller, manageable pieces and assign deadlines to stay on track.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Atomic Habits by James Clear has been transformational. It’s a simple yet powerful guide to building small, sustainable habits that create big results over time.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently watched The New Look, and I loved how it portrayed the world of fashion, power, and personal transformation. The series delves into the life of iconic fashion designer Christian Dior, exploring how his work reshaped not just the fashion industry but also the cultural landscape after World War II. The meticulous attention to detail in the costumes and the portrayal of Dior’s innovative spirit was captivating. It’s a fascinating look at how creativity, vision, and passion can influence an entire era.
Key learnings
- Authenticity and curiosity are essential for bringing ideas to life and connecting with others.
- AI and technology can drive agility, but human creativity remains irreplaceable.
- Kindness in leadership isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength that fosters trust and collaboration.