Kory Marchisotto on Creating Runway Through Radical Generosity

What I’ve Learned

For Kory Marchisotto, leadership is not about standing in the spotlight. It’s about making sure others have a clear runway to take off. Her aha-moment came when she realized that teams weren’t underperforming because of lack of will or talent. They were held back by clutter, confusion, and self-doubt.

“Leadership is about clearing the path so others can run faster, freer, and farther than they thought possible.”

That realization reframed how she saw her role: not as the hero, but as the amplifier. Her job was to remove barriers, build clarity, and unlock confidence in others.

How I’ve Sharpened

Kory has built a set of practices rooted in what she calls radical generosity — the belief that leaders must give more than they take:

• Generosity of clarity. Her what, why, how framework ensures people never have to guess. “What are we doing? Why does it matter? How will we get there? If I don’t answer those three questions, I haven’t done my job as a leader.”
• Generosity of belief. She reminds her team of their own capability, especially when self-doubt creeps in. “Sometimes people borrow your belief in them until they find their own.”
• Generosity of trust. She resists micromanagement, choosing instead to equip and empower. “When you trust people to rise, nine times out of ten, they will.”
• Generosity of time. She invests in listening deeply — not just to words, but to what’s unsaid — so her team feels heard and valued.

Why It Matters

Kory’s lesson is that leadership is not a zero-sum game. The more you give, the more your team grows, and the more the organization achieves. By practicing radical generosity, she clears the path for others to succeed — and in doing so, multiplies her own impact.

“When you lead with generosity — with clarity, trust, belief, and time — you unleash potential people didn’t even know they had.”

About Kory Marchisotto

Kory Marchisotto is Chief Marketing Officer of e.l.f. Beauty and President of Keys Soulcare. She is recognized as a bold, values-driven leader who has fueled e.l.f.’s meteoric rise by combining creativity, clarity, and humanity. Known for her radical generosity, she has built one of the fastest-growing brands in beauty by clearing the path for others to shine.