Executive Leadership

Office of the Chairman

Ronald O. Perelman

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MacAndrews & Forbes

Perelman first worked alongside his father on deals at Belmont Industries in Philadelphia before moving to New York City to strike out on his own. His first investment was Cohen-Hatfield; a jewelry store chain that he eventually sold to Sam Walton to become Walmart’s in-house jewelry franchise.

Perelman has owned and run some of the most iconic brands over the years including: Marvel, Sunbeam, Pantry Pride, Panavision and New World Entertainment. In 1985, Perelman acquired his most high-profile company, the multinational cosmetics, skin care, fragrance and personal care company Revlon, which he still holds 36 years later and is now run by his daughter Debra.

MacAndrews & Forbes Incorporated, is an investment company that owns and operates a diversified portfolio of public and private companies. The principal interests of MacAndrews & Forbes include Vericast, vTvTherapeutics LLC, SIGA and Revlon.

In addition to his accomplishments as a business leader, Mr. Perelman has been recognized throughout his extensive career as a major supporter of many of the nation’s most prominent cultural, educational and medical institutions.

The Ronald O. Perelman Center for Emergency Services at NYU Langone Medical Center opened in April 2014. The Center more than tripled the size of the former Emergency Department, helping to meet the growing need for emergency care service in NYC.

A longtime supporter of the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Perelman announced the creation of the Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics in February 2013. The Center fosters the teaching and research required to develop positions on national and international matters.

His commitment to cutting-edge health research has contributed to life-changing advancements for patients in New York and around the world, particularly through the establishment of the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute at New York Presbyterian Hospital (2009), the Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical Center (2008), and the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center (1991).

As chairman of Revlon, Mr. Perelman has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to improving women’s health. In 1990 he created the Revlon/UCLA Women’s Cancer Research Program, which led to the development of Herceptin, the groundbreaking treatment for breast cancer. The EIF Revlon Run/Walk has raised more than $100 million to fight women’s cancers. In 2014, he co-founded, along with Barbra Streisand, the Women’s Heart Alliance to raise awareness, encourage action and drive new research to fight heart disease in women.

Mr. Perelman is also a generous supporter of the arts. In June 2016 he announced a $75 million lead gift to fund the Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center. Scheduled to open in 2023, the new Perelman Center will serve as a world-class performance space in Lower Manhattan, producing and premiering new works of theater, dance, music, film and opera.

Mr. Perelman is the Vice Chairman of the Apollo Theater Foundation and sits on the board of many institutions including: New York Presbyterian Hospital, NYU Langone Medical Center and The Ford Theater

Mr. Perelman received a BS in Economics and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He lives in New York City with his wife and is the father of eight children.

BARRY F. SCHWARTZ

Emeritus Vice Chairman

 

Mr. Schwartz’s dedication to education and institutional leadership is evident through his roles as a former Vice Chairman and Board of Trustees member at The City University of New York, where his service extended until 2020. He has also made significant contributions as a Trustee Emeritus and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Kenyon College. Additionally, he was a member of the Georgetown University Law Center Board of Visitors.

Furthermore, Mr. Schwartz plays an active role in the healthcare sector, currently serving on the Board of Directors of NYU Langone Medical Center. His past directorship at Scientific Games, from 2003 to September 2020, saw him contribute as a member of the Compliance Committee and Compensation Committee.

 

Mr. Schwartz’s educational background includes an A.B. cum laude from Kenyon College and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. He resides in New York and is a dedicated father to two children.

Senior Leadership

Debbie Perelman

Executive Vice President,
Strategy and New Business Development
(on leave)

 

 

Ms. Perelman’s career journey includes a prominent role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Revlon, where she also served as a member of the company’s Board of Directors. Her journey with Revlon commenced with the completion of its rigorous management training program. Over the course of more than two decades, Ms. Perelman contributed her expertise across various facets of the business, encompassing finance, distribution and sales operations, international operations, and marketing. Notably, she led Revlon’s digital transformation efforts, establishing a data and analytics group and creating the infrastructure necessary to develop a cutting-edge e-commerce platform. Her penchant for innovation is further exemplified through collaborations with the MIT Media Lab, aimed at exploring disruptive industry approaches.

Beyond her corporate pursuits, Ms. Perelman is a co-founder and Vice Chairman of the Child Mind Institute, a distinguished national nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and families grappling with mental health and learning disorders. She also holds a seat on the Board of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and serves as a member of the President’s Advisory Council at Princeton University.

 

Ms. Perelman’s academic qualifications include a Masters of Business Administration with a focus on finance and accounting from Columbia Business School, complemented by a Bachelor of Arts degree with cum laude honors from Princeton University.

Charles (Chip) Sgro

Executive Vice President, 
General Counsel

 

Chip previously served as Citi’s General Counsel for Anti-Money Laundering, as Corporate Associate General Counsel and, before that, as counsel to Citi’s global futures trading business. Before joining Citi in 2002, Chip worked for nearly ten years in public service, holding various positions with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice and The White House, including serving as the Eastern Regional Counsel for the CFTC and Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General of the United States.