Gold Green Grant
Celebrating sustainability-focused changemakers positively impacting the AANHPI community.
In partnership with
Overview
The Gold Green Grant is a collaborative initiative with Garnier, the leading beauty brand committed to Greener Beauty for All of Us, and seeks to honor leaders that best embody Garnier’s dedication to sustainability.
This grant reflects our shared commitment to recognizing and supporting sustainability-focused changemakers positively impacting the AANHPI community.
We believe that, together, long-term change can be made in any field or category, whether via business and entrepreneurship, arts and film, or social work and advocacy.
Prizes
3 winners of the grant will receive:
- 1. $20,000 to further sustainable business practices
- 2. Mentorship from Garnier executives
- 3. Invitations to select Gold House events
All 10 finalists of the grant will receive:
- 1. Annual National Park Passes
- 2. Gift bag from Garnier
- 3. Membership in the Gold House Futures Network
- 4. Amplification across Gold House and Garnier social and digital platforms
Apply Now!
2024
- 2024
Finalists
David Phan
David Phan, founder of Huppy, found his calling in sustainable oral care after a pivotal backpacking trip highlighted the environmental toll of toothpaste tubes. Huppy is on a mission to prove that smiles are better off without plastic, cruelty, and toxic ingredients. It all starts with a personal care revolution. And it only gets better from there.
Denise Woodard
Denise is the Founder and CEO of Partake Foods, a natural food company that was inspired by her daughter’s experience with food allergies. At Partake, they believe in the ability to partake in all of life’s joys, big or small, committed to creating opportunities to partake in the joy of great food – without pretense, limitations or restrictions.
Kai Lim
Kai is a Singaporean founder who ventured to New York to build Reprise Health – a brand inspired by their grandma. Reprise’s mission is to preserve the ancient practice around Traditional Eastern Herbs and make them accessible to millions more.
Kimberlie Le
Driven by a love of diverse food culture and sustainability, Kimberlie Le, a chef’s daughter with a passion for fermentation, founded Prime Roots. With Prime Roots, satisfy meat cravings in a better way with plant-based deli meat that is clean, wholesome, and sustainable.
Lauren Choi
Lauren Choi founded The New Norm when she realized there has to be a drastic change in the way we recycle plastic. The New Norm specifically targets plastics that are not commonly recycled in our existing infrastructure and transform them into sustainable yarn, fabric, and apparel.
Michelle Hanabusa
Michelle K. Hanabusa is the Founder & Designer of LA based streetwear brand UPRISERS®. Behind every design, the women-led brand is dedicated to the discovery of untold stories. UPRISERS® is a canvas to share what its community stands for through thoughtful campaigns and product design.
Nadya Okamoto
Nadya Okamoto is the cofounder of August (@itsaugust.co), a lifestyle period brand on a mission to eliminate period stigma and make more sustainable and comfortable tampons and pads.
Olivia Chen & Pauline Ang
Pauline and Olivia, friends for over 20 years, share a passion for food, healthy lifestyles and environmental sustainability. Twrl Milk Tea is committed to a smaller environment footprint by supporting multi-generational farmers and regenerative farming with the intent to to reduce the usage of natural resources and energy.
Phoebe Yu
Phoebe Yu is the Founder & CEO of ettitude, an award-winning material science and lifestyle company on a mission to create next-gen fabrics and products that reduce our impact and support your health and the health of the planet. Here to make a material difference in the home and textile industries for a regenerative future for all.
Raina Kumra
Raina Kumra is the founder of Spicewell, a food as medicine startup. Spicewell is not just a food company, but a movement to take on Big Food and demand better for us and the earth products. Food is medicine, and Spicewell makes that swap to eating better, so simple.
Selection Committee
Amy Whang
Amy Whang is currently the President of Maybelline, Garnier and essie in the US. Prior to taking this position, Amy was General Manager, IT Cosmetics in the US. Since joining the L’OréalGroup in 2004, Amy has worked in both the Luxe and Consumer Divisions. Amy has also held positions across the Lancôme, Kiehl’s, shu uemura, Maybelline and L’Oréal Paris brands in both US and Global Marketing capacities.
In 2023, Amy was named as one of Adweek’s top 50 Business Leaders in the US. She is also a recipient of the Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Beauty’s Top Talent Award. Amy graduated from New York University Stern School of Business with a BS in Marketing and International Business. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children and loves camping
Alex Wang
Alex Wang is currently Brand Marketing Director of Garnier USA within the L’Oréal Group.During his time in the role, Alex spearheaded Garnier’s partnership with Gold House in efforts to strengthen Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation in beauty and uplift sustainably minded AAPI founders.
Prior to L’Oréal, Alex began his career in finance roles across Unilever, Newell Brands, and Coty. After recognizing a passion for inclusive beauty, Alex pivoted to marketing for Sally Hansen US, where he developed the brand’s partnership with GLAAD in support of the LGBTQIA+ community. He also was the Founding Chairperson of Coty’s AAPI Employee Resource Group.
Alex graduated from Cornell University with a BS in Applied Economics and Management. He is currently an MBA Candidate at the New York University Stern School of Business. A New Jersey native, Alex is now based in New York City. In his spare time, he loves playing tennis, baking, and travelling.
Angela Park
Angela Park is the Assistant Vice President in L’Oréal Research & Innovation with over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. In her current role, Angela leads the development of strategic product launches for the Hair Care, Scalp and Styling category across brands like Garnier, L’Oréal Paris and Kiehl’s. A trusted partner and technical advisor, Angela specializes in the building and execution of innovation roadmaps that complement L’Oréal’s business strategy.
Angela’s leadership style is a people-first mindset. Her aim is to empower her team to deliver cutting edge science and consumer-centric solutions by leading with empathy and authenticity. With a strong academic foundation, she holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from The Cooper Union for the Advancement in Science and Art and a master’s degree in business and science from Rutgers University. During her free time, Angela enjoys challenging hikes with her husband and hosting extravagant and themed dinner parties for friends. In addition to her passion for beauty and science, Angela finds inspiration in cinematography and cooking.