Beacon Wellness Brands is on a mission to raise the bar for women’s health
During Women’s History Month and ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, Drug Store News caught up with Maria Warrington, chief executive officer of Beacon Wellness Brands. Warrington oversees growth and innovation for the company's portfolio of brands, including plusOne, Plum Beauty and Palm Perfect, and discusses how the company is empowering women with the tools and resources they need to support their health.
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In our Q&A, Warrington discusses the company’s latest initiatives focusing on women’s wellness, funding women’s health research and a creative partnership with artist Severine Assous that aims to drive awareness of women’s health equality. She also shares her path to ascending the leadership ladder in the health and wellness space.
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Drug Store News: As CEO of Beacon Wellness Brands, how do you see your company’s role in advancing conversations around women’s health and wellness, especially during International Women's Month?
Maria Warrington: One of the initiatives I’m proudest of is our plusOne Wellness Collective. The plusOne Wellness Collective includes an esteemed group of gynecologists, urologists, pelvic floor surgeons, sex therapists and sexologists—all of whom lend their expertise to help shape cutting-edge products and craft educational content that educates and empowers consumers. My team and I strongly believe that access to medically vetted education is vital, especially in this current social and political climate.
DSN: With plusOne partnering with Severine Assous for a custom GIF highlighting women’s health, how do creative collaborations like this help amplify important messages about women’s equality?
MW: Creative collaborations like this one are an incredibly powerful tool for spreading awareness. They allow us to break through traditional boundaries and engage audiences in a fresh, relevant way. The GIF by Severine Assous is a perfect example of how art and innovation can express important conversations about women’s health and equality in a way that resonates with people, particularly on digital platforms. It’s about meeting people where they are, creating conversation and normalizing topics that are often overlooked or stigmatized. We’re thrilled to be a part of initiatives like these that spark change and encourage inclusivity.
DSN: Beacon Wellness Brands is donating $5,000 to the Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation, which is the largest research institute in the United States devoted exclusively to women's health research. What inspired this partnership, and how do you hope it will impact women’s health research?
MW: Our donation to the Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation is rooted in our company’s core values of supporting innovative research that improves women's health outcomes. When we learned about the groundbreaking work being done at Magee, we felt it was a natural alignment with our mission to support the advancement of women's wellness. The funding will help propel important studies and research efforts that can lead to life-changing breakthroughs. Our hope is that by contributing to such vital work, we can play a small part in shaping a future where women’s health is given the attention and resources it truly deserves.
DSN: Having transitioned from CFO and COO to CEO, how has your leadership approach evolved, particularly in championing diversity, equity and inclusion within the wellness industry?
MW: Making the transition from CFO and COO to CEO has certainly broadened my perspective on leadership. When I was in finance and operations, I was deeply focused on logistics and the bottom line, but stepping into the CEO role gave me the opportunity to truly influence the culture of the company. As CEO, I’ve become even more committed to driving change in diversity, equity, and inclusion—not just internally, but across the wellness industry. I firmly believe that diverse leadership teams bring diverse perspectives, which in turn create better, more innovative products and solutions. My goal is to foster an environment where every voice is heard and where the wellness industry reflects the diversity of the people it serves.
DSN: What advice would you give to other women aspiring to leadership roles in industries that intersect with health, beauty and wellness?
MW: My advice would be to embrace your unique strengths, continue to learn and don't be afraid to take risks. The health, beauty and wellness industries are evolving rapidly, and there are so many opportunities to make a difference. Being in leadership means making tough decisions, but it also means being an advocate for change and progress. Build a strong network of mentors, support other women in their careers and always stay grounded in your mission to improve the lives of those you serve. Most importantly, trust in your abilities and understand that leadership comes in many forms—each path is unique, and there’s room for every voice in this space.