Gwen Whiting embodies an entrepreneur’s spirit with a creative vision and an executive’s talent for leading and growing a global lifestyle brand. Long before sustainability became an inspiring way of life, it was Gwen’s vision in 2004 to create a premium, eco-friendly laundry and home cleaning brand – The Laundress. Without external funding, and through Gwen’s tenacity and leadership, The Laundress grew via multi-channel distribution and was acquired by Unilever in 2019.
As Founder and President, Gwen oversaw the entire visual brand experience of The Laundress from concept to creation, including product development, branding, and retail design. Since her exit, Gwen had no plans to step back into the laundry room. However, as she watched from the sidelines the brand she built become unrecognizable and her legacy tarnished, she felt forced to create a new brand for both herself and her devoted cleaning enthusiasts.
In June 2024, Gwen launched The Fill, a private cleaning community and luxury collection of aromatherapy-infused laundry and home cleaning products placing wellness at its heart center. The Fill is exemplary of her ongoing mission to push brand-building boundaries and once again redefine the industry.
Prior to founding The Laundress and behind her entrepreneurial spirit, Gwen spent over a decade in fashion, retail, media, and design, including five years as a Senior Designer for Ralph Lauren Home, which she refers to as her graduate degree. This foundation continues to serve as a constant source of inspiration, both professionally and personally. She holds her Bachelor of Science in Textile Science Apparel Design from Cornell University, and is an active voice in thought leadership, entrepreneurship and female empowerment through her involvement with Campaign Leader, and philanthropist. She is also a member of YPO Global Leadership Community, Women Moving Millions, the National Arts Club, and will be joining the board of FIT in Fall 2025.
She is equally passionate about mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs — from students, to startups, and established founders — through educational and entrepreneurial programs, guiding them along their business journeys and advocating for alternatives to traditional external funding in building and scaling sustainable and profitable mission driven ventures. Gwen lives in New York City, Bridgehampton and London with her husband. She feeds her creative spirit with reading, wellness, and global adventures.