Horst M. Rechelbacher

Horst M. Rechelbacher is an active environmentalist, innovative business leader, author, artist, and organic farmer. In 1978, Horst founded Aveda Corporation, a global plant-based cosmetic company. Nearly two decades later, he sold Aveda to Estée Lauder but remained a consultant until March 2003. Since then, he has focused on his new product paradigm, Intelligent Nutrients, a health and beauty product company, utilizing 100 percent food-based and organic certified ingredients. Vanity Fair voted Horst one of the most influential environmentalists in the U.S. in 1995 and again in 2005. Horst is one of the three original founders of Business for Social Responsibility, which promotes the idea that businesses have the greatest responsibility and opportunity to provide sustainability to all living species. In 2007, he received the Rachel Carson Award for a Lifetime Commitment to Environmental Ethics & Integrity. Horst is also the founder and chairman of the Horst M. Rechelbacher Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to social and environmental preservation projects that operate on a grass-roots level. Horst has authored three other books: Rejuvenation, Aveda Rituals, and Alivelihood. Horst currently resides in Wisconsin and New York City. His organic farm in Wisconsin is solar, wind and geothermal powered, and he grows plant ingredients for Intelligent Nutrients products.