Autumn Harp is pleased to announce that Ethan Alden-Danforth, PhD, has joined the company as vice president of research and development. Ethan comes to Autumn Harp from L’Oreal US, where he has most recently served as manager of the eye makeup lab, leading multiple teams of scientists to develop and commercialize new products for the global makeup market. In his role at Autumn Harp, he provides senior leadership in the oversight of research and development, both in thought/vision and in practice, and works with multifunctional teams to support Autumn Harp’s growth strategy.
“We are delighted to welcome Ethan to the Autumn Harp team,” said Autumn Harp owner and president, Dave Logan. “Ethan’s experience in innovation, marketing, and manufacturing is a great asset to the company and our customers.”
Ethan earned his PhD in organic chemistry from The Johns Hopkins University, and a bachelor of science in chemistry from Villanova University. He started his career at L’Oréal developing innovative body hygiene and fragrance products, culminating in several patents granted. Most recently, Ethan was the manager for L’Oréal’s US eye makeup lab, a group that developed global mascara, eyeliner, eyebrow and eyeshadow products for Maybelline and other brands. This work took him to China where he lived for several months in Shanghai while leading an international team of scientists in an Asia-focused task force. “The energy and collaborative spirit here at Autumn Harp is infectious,” he said. “I’m truly excited to join an organization that prides itself on providing their customers with innovative, performant formulas that respect the consumer and the environment.”
Ethan rounds out Autumn Harp’s stellar leadership team, which includes owner and president Dave Logan, Hillary Burrows, vice president, finance and administration; Heidi Masterson, vice president, strategic accounts; Adrian Oates, vice president, operations; and Mary Pulling, vice president, technical.
Autumn Harp is a specialized research and development and manufacturing partner for major brands and retailers in the cosmetics and personal products industry. Founded in 1977 by two naturalists who made lip balm out of their small Vermont cottage, Autumn Harp now employs 200 people and is recognized as expert at innovation, cutting-edge technology, over-the-counter and texture formulations, certified organic and natural formulations, water-based technology, and color cosmetics. With production and office facilities in Essex Junction, Vermont, the company has earned a reputation as an innovative, progressive company and as a leading advocate of social and environmental reform, earning certification as a Vermont Green Business and an EcoVadis Gold Rating for its commitment to corporate social responsibility.