As you already know, I was honored, privileged and very excited to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) which took place at the end of September in NYC. I had been aware of this important summit conference for some time, but there could not be a more perfect time for Dermalogica to enter the game and play an active role.

The three original pillars of the CGI were: green technology, economic solvency, and health — as in, world health care. All huge. But in 2009, the fourth pillar was added to the global CGI agenda: girls’ and women’s issues. Bill Clinton’s thinking is that the original three areas are critically impacted by the state of women’s lives, in every way. Smart guy, that Bill.

From a working standpoint, CGI unites leadership representing three business models: public sector, private sector, and government. Again, insightful. Because when non-profit folks work on their own, they tend to get a bit starry-eyed. When captains of industry stay within their own spheres of power, they atrophy… and so on.

The timing is so right because of Dermalogica’s launch of F.I.T.E. (Financial Independence Through Women’s Entrepreneurship). I did meet one-on-one with President Clinton while I was in NYC. I told Bill that his book on “Giving” helped our company to identify Kiva.org as our partner in helping 25,000 women entrepreneurs start or grow their businesses as the mission of the FITE initiative. He was warm, genuine, and strong, and told me he’s expecting us to report back to him on our progress, same time next year.

And a word about Hillary. Okay, that unfortunate photo of her that was circulated a few weeks ago with the hair-clip was indeed a fashion faux-pas. But let’s get real: the media just give her a hard time because she’s very smart, ambitious, and tough. I was frankly surprised when I saw her at CGI — she’s a “stealth” beauty. I think that she consciously plays down her looks. She’s actually much more chic, petite and youthful in person. No kidding — the word ‘luminous’ sprang to my mind.

Please just pinch me.

There is so much to say, so I’ll just start. On September 21, I participated in the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in New York City. If you don’t already know all about it, go here: www.clintonglobalinitiative.org.

I won’t go on and on about the history and purpose of CGI, because I’d rather tell you why I was there. A lot of the reason is FITE (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship), the radical, empowering women’s microloan initiative which Dermalogica is launching with Kiva.org, right now. Much more to tell on that subject.

First, let me say that I have only been a U.S. citizen for about a year. And, I just met with President Bill Clinton. I heard President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. I sat in the audience as Hillary Clinton spoke. You’ve heard it all before, but let me remind you: only in America. Believe it.

And can I just say this, also, about the audience? Barbra Streisand. Cherie Blair. Katie Couric. Tina Brown. Melinda Gates. Geena Davis. Ron Woods. MICK JAGGER.

I met brilliant world-economist Nicholas Kristof, author of the NYT bestseller “Half the Sky,” and told him how much he inspired me, and helped to set our entire new FITE initiative into motion.

I chatted with Katie Couric about FITE, and it turns out that she’s a Dermalogica aficionada.

And, at random, I was seated next to the President of Prada at lunch.

My attitude toward this entire experience was “Allow and Accept” (and I would have gladly accepted any Prada shoes he threw my way!) and the giddy mix of the serendipitous with the heart-stopping, the glam with the lofty, well, more to tell shortly.

Jane Wurwand, Founder of Dermalogica was joined by Gossip Girl cast member Kelly Rutherford and over 400 Step Up Women’s Network members to recognize the empowerment of women at our grand opening of Dermalogica Academy. It was one of the warmest evenings of the summer, but the welcoming Dermalogica Academy received by our native New Yorkers was warmer still. We celebrated together toasting with bubbly wine and great fare from the incredible team of Dean & Deluca.

The Academy is our first undergraduate facility and the first learning institution of its kind within the professional skin care industry, offering a personalized comprehensive education to become a licensed skin therapist, including every aspect of business, marketing and retailing. Empowerment, mentoring and networking are key to launching a successful career in skin therapy. Sharing the evening with Step Up Women’s Network, a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to connecting and advancing women and girls by bridging communities of professional women and underserved teen girls through mentorship, networking and advancement could not have been more synergistic. For more information about Step Up Women’s Network, please visit www.suwn.org

Sounds pretty straight-forward, until you see the great seal that denotes this space was built
to comply with strict Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) eco-requirements, making it the only LEED-certified trade school in New York City.

How did we do it? The classrooms are virtually paperless, with interactive “smartboard” technology and iTouch, iPhone and iPad decks allowing students to keep their carbon footprint light. Likewise, the shopping environment supplies customer receipts via e-mail instead of printed hard copy. Recycled and locally sourced materials have been used in the build-out, with low-flow plumbing, energy.

In NYC? Stop by and see all the other ways we’ve taken skin care green!

This amazing, stunning new facility is steeped in nearly 28 years of skin therapist training initiated by Jane Wurwand, Founder of The International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica, the number one product choice of skin care professionals worldwide.

Dermalogica has always prided itself on doing things a little differently, and their approach to licensing skin therapists is no different. The inspiring, vivid decor of this leading-edge NYC facility puts the sleepy, sedentary notion of skin therapy training to bed, as do the “listen, see, touch” learning methods in which aspiring skin therapists will receive their training.

There’s of course the hands-on training: This is the business of better skin, after all, and better skin comes at the hands of a highly trained professional! Academy students will train with all new electric beds and highly versatile skin care equipment ready to be put through its paces.

For those who love to listen and learn, sophisticated in-class lectures range from the anatomy of the skin to how to run your own business. Podcasts and in-class support materials help students achieve their state licensing requirements while prepping them for a long-term career in the industry.

For visual learners who crave the eye/mind connection, interactive Smartboards give Dermalogica Academy instructors touch control of computer applications for synergistic training.

For those of you who have a passion for skin health from a client’s perspective, Dermalogica Academy has you covered, offering the best skin treatment in the city for prices that cater to clients who value service and a savings. Skin treatment and waxing services are performed by skin therapists in training, under the direct supervision of a licensed Dermalogica Professional Skin Therapist and Dermalogica Academy Instructor.

Get the Dermalogica experience at the Dermalogica Academy, located in the heart of Chelsea at 140 West 22nd Street, between 6th and 7th, just two blocks from every major subway line, the PATH train and minutes from Penn and Grand Central Stations.