Accomplished Under 40 – Mara Reed

Vice President of Product Development, Board Member – Artisan Labs

From demonstrating soap-making at the New York State Fair as a teenager to spearheading industry-leading growth at Artisan Labs, Mara Reed has built a career that blends scientific expertise with leadership skills. As vice president of product development, she has been instrumental in Artisan Labs’ expansion, which includes 50% growth in 2024 and projected 200% growth in 2025.

“Ms. Reed is a unique blend of talents,” said Matthew Bryant, CEO/founder of Artisan Labs. “She is an expert cosmetic scientist with unmatched relationship building skills and a unique ability to interpret industry trends to support product development for the brands we serve.”

As Artisan Labs’ first hire in 2021, she took on the challenge of building the research and development department from the ground up. What started as a one-person operation has expanded to include R&D management, administrators, cosmetic chemists, laboratory technicians, stability technicians and regulatory specialists.

Her deep knowledge of the cosmetic science field is backed by academic credentials. In 2024, Reed completed her graduate degree in Cosmetic Science from University of Cincinnati and has been admitted to University of Utah’s MBA program to begin studies in Fall 2025.

“Ms. Reed has always been personally driven to improve and grow,” Bryant said. “Her humility and hunger to learn is clearly one of her greatest strengths.”

Beyond her corporate accomplishments, Reed serves as chair for the Intermountain West Society of Cosmetic Chemists, overseeing professional networking and continuing education for cosmetic industry professionals across a five-state region. She previously served as chair-elect in 2024, where she championed revised programming to increase membership and meeting participation.

Reed’s passion for STEM education has made her a recognized advocate across Idaho. She regularly hosts student field trips to Artisan Labs’ R&D laboratory, where activities range from teaching third graders about the science of bubbles to showing high school food science classes the principles of cosmetic chemistry. Her commitment extends to advisory roles with ISEE STEM (Idaho South & East EcoSySTEM) and participation in events like the She Can STEM 2025 conference.

“While Ms. Reed’s educational and career accomplishments stand alone, the most exceptional trait of Ms. Reed is her level of commitment to helping others to pursue their STEM education path, and to help them envision how they can make a difference,” Bryant said.