Beyond Beauty Gala Raises $310,000
Mr. Magnacca and Ms. Marshall (3rd left) with Mistress of Ceremonies Susan Saint James, Mr. Holding, Shiseido’s Heidi Manheimer, Elysée Scientific Cosmetics’ Jennifer Marshall and Dr. Gerald Nestadt of Johns Hopkins.
On February 4, the James E. Marshall OCD Foundation honored Iain R. Holding, President of Beiersdorf North America and
Joe Magnacca, Senior Vice President, Chief Merchandising
Officer, Duane Reade at the 6th annual Beyond Beauty Gala. Beyond Beauty is a fundraising event that benefits genetic research and
education for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Beyond Beauty was founded by Elysée Scientific Cosmetics’ Linda Marshall, whose late son James Marshall had OCD. “This is a special evening for me because you’re making the last wishes of my son come true,” she stated. “The cosmetic industry is one of the most gracious industries in the entire world. We’re about making people look beautiful, but sometimes people with OCD have Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and they see themselves
grotesquely when they look in the mirror. We want to share the importance of beauty on the inside,” she added.
Jennifer Marshall, Actress Morgan Fairchild and Linda Marshall
This year’s event raised $310,000 with the funds going towards the OCD Program at Johns Hopkins. “This event is [unique] because it’s the only event related to OCD research in this country. The importance of studying this condition and solving this issue is high,” stated Professor and Director, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Program at Johns Hopkins’ Gerald Nestadt, M.D., M.P.H.
“The two honorees have done so much in raising awareness of OCD,” said Actress Susan Saint James, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies. “Five to six million Americans suffer from some form of OCD, yet there is almost no government funding for research.”
Introduced by Art Spiro, Executive Vice President, Global Marketing, Liz Claiborne Brands/Elizabeth Arden DSFG, Mr. Holding expressed how Ms. Marshall “is an inspiring woman. [Before I met her] I didn’t understand this truly devastating and sometimes fatal disease.”
Mr. Magnacca recalled meeting Mr. Holding some time ago and remembers how highly Mr. Holding spoke of Ms. Marshall. Once Mr. Magnacca met her, she motivated him to get involved in raising awareness of OCD. “This wouldn’t have happened without Linda’s work, and I’m proud to stand here with her and her family,” he said.
Attendees concluded the evening by jamming to Ashford & Simpson’s hit songs, including Solid, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and You’re All I Need To Get By.