Hayes Elected New Chair of L&C’s Board of Trustees
Paula Hayes BS ’92, Lewis & Clark’s new board chair, is an entrepreneurial cosmetics chemist and founder and CEO of Hue Noir.
Lewis & Clark’s Board of Trustees has elected Paula Hayes BS ’92 as its next chair. Hayes, an entrepreneurial cosmetics chemist and founder and CEO of Hue Noir, has served on the Board of Trustees since 2014.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as board chair for an institution that means so much to me and that plays such an important role in so many students’ lives,” said Hayes. “Tremendous progress has been made in the last several years to strengthen Lewis & Clark’s academic programs and enhance the student experience. I’m excited to work with my fellow board members and President Robin Holmes-Sullivan to build on the momentum toward L&C’s further growth and success.”
As a trustee, Hayes has worked with her colleagues to advance the institution by supporting innovative academic programs and campus life initiatives. Among the board’s most recent accomplishments is shepherding the school’s first major fundraising campaign in two decades, which is expected to reach its $155 million goal later this year.
“Paula has been an impactful member of the board and a terrific partner in advancing Lewis & Clark,” said Holmes-Sullivan. “She is a well-respected business and community leader, and has earned the support of her fellow trustees through her expertise and deep commitment to the institution. Paula’s leadership and mission-centered approach are exactly what is needed to keep our momentum going. I look forward to working with her to ensure our continued success.”
Hayes founded Hue Noir, a cosmetic manufacturing company based in Beaverton, Oregon, in 2009. The company specializes in the formulation and development of cosmetic products designed specifically for women of color. She started her career as a research and development chemist for American Fruit Processors in Southern California, specializing in new product development. In her role, she developed and contributed to new products for a range of clients, including Hansen Beverage, Quaker Oats, and Coca Cola. Prior to starting Hue Noir, Hayes served as executive vice president of sales and operations for Trusperity Corporation in Southern California, which provided new business start-up consultation and other management services. In this role, she was charged with the task of building businesses from concept to final product delivery in the marketplace.
In 2016, Hayes was appointed by Governor Kate Brown JD ’85 as a member of the Oregon Business Development Commission, where her goal is to advocate for business in the state of Oregon and help the state innovate in its approach to business development.
On the Lewis & Clark board, Hayes has previously served as first vice chair; chair of the Academic Affairs Committee; chair of the Campus Life Committee; and, most recently, cochair of the Presidential Search Committee. Hayes graduated from Lewis & Clark with a BS in biology and served on the Board of Alumni from June 2005 to June 2011. She holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
