Saje Natural Wellness names Kathy Chi Thurber as president

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Jul 25, 2020

Saje Natural Wellness announced this week the appointment of Kathy Chi Thurber as president, allowing co-founders Kate Ross LeBlanc and Jean-Pierre LeBlanc to step into their new roles as board members.

Thurber joins the Canadian retailer of natural health and beauty products with over 17 years of management experience from top lifestyle and beauty brands such as L'Oreal, Starbucks, and Macy's. 

As president and general manager at L'Oreal, she led their Beauty Device Division and Clarisonic Brand, while at Starbucks, Thurber took on strategic opportunities to drive brand engagement, supporting their China growth strategy and Starbucks Loyalty Program. Her new role is effective immediately. 

"Along with our partners at L Catterton, we are honored to welcome Kathy Chi Thurber as President of Saje Natural Wellness," said Kate Ross LeBlanc, in a news statement. 

"I knew it would be a special person who could transition into the leadership of the business that my husband Jean-Pierre and I created nearly 30 years ago. From the moment I met Kathy, I could see she had a special synergy of authenticity, presence, and professionalism. I have every confidence that our people, product, and community are in the right hands, and that she will nurture our original vision for Global Wellness.”

The Vancouver-based retailer, created in 1992, has grown across Canada since inception and later landed in the U.S. for the first time in 2016 where it began working with L Catterton, an American private equity company based in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Saje is dedicated to creating products that are completely free of parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic colors, fragrances, and additives. Their products are designed for the home and overall well-being and include support for stress, sleep, pain and symptoms of coughs and colds.