Christopher Gavigan

Christopher Gavigan
Born (1974-04-19) April 19, 1974
Alma materUniversity of California, Santa Barbara
OccupationsEntrepreneur, author
Spouse
(m. 2004)
Children4
RelativesKate Capshaw (mother-in-law)

Christopher Gavigan (born April 19, 1974) is an American entrepreneur, author, and one of the co-founders of The Honest Company.[1] He is also the founder and CEO of Prima[2] and CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World.[3][4]

Early life and education

He was born and raised in New York and Connecticut.[5][6] He received degrees in environmental science and geography from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and has graduate training in child psychology and education.[7]

Early in his career, Gavigan was also an Ecology and Science teacher in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area.[8][9][5] He also founded Pinnacle Expeditions, a California-based adventure travel company catering to teens.[10]

Career

Healthy Child Healthy World

Before launching his business ventures, Gavigan served in the areas of non-profit advocacy work as the CEO and Executive Director[4] of Healthy Child Healthy World.[11] The organization focuses on protecting children from environmental toxins through advocacy, medical research, legislative efforts, and public education.[12] His work included lobbying for chemical safety standards and promoting safer consumer products.[13]

Gavigan authored the book Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home in 2008 with foreword written by Meryl Streep.[14] The book featured contributions from Michelle Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Erin Brockovich, Philip Landrigan, and Harvey Karp.[15][2]

The Honest Company

In January 2012, Gavigan along with his business partners Jessica Alba and Brian Lee co-founded The Honest Company.[1]

Gavigan's role at The Honest Company included serving as Chief Product and Brand Officer, where he focused on building company’s principles of safety, transparency, sustainability, and integrity.[1]

In 2021, The Honest Company went public with an initial public offering (IPO), marking a growth.[16] Gavigan continued to be involved with the company.[12]

Prima

In 2019, Gavigan was the founder and CEO of Prima,[17] a botanical wellness brand, called The Patagonia of CBD by Forbes in 2021,[18] leveraging cannabinoid and plant therapeutics which was sold in Sephora, Goop[19] Vitamin Shoppe, and Whole Foods.[20][21]

Views and opinions

Gavigan has emphasized the importance of protecting children and families from exposure to harmful chemicals.[22] He has advocated for stricter chemical regulations and increased consumer awareness about environmental toxins.[23]

Gavigan has criticized the outdated nature of chemical and product safety regulations, particularly in the United States.[24] He argues that “the system is broken, leaving consumers vulnerable to harmful substances.”[25]

Bibliography

  • Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home (2008)[5][26]

Personal life

Gavigan married Jessica Capshaw, daughter of Kate Capshaw and stepdaughter of Steven Spielberg, in 2004.[27] They have four children together.[28]

Awards and recognition

References

  1. ^ a b c Paton, Elizabeth (June 7, 2013). "Power dressing: Christopher Gavigan". Financial Times.
  2. ^ a b Bobrow, Warren. "Christopher Gavigan: Founder And CEO Of Prima". Forbes. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  3. ^ Langert, Bob (November 6, 2017). "10 minutes with Christopher Gavigan, Honest Company". Trellis. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Celebrating Eco-Dads This Father's Day with Christopher Gavigan of Healthy Child Healthy World". LuxEcoLiving. June 19, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "Game Changers 2014: Christopher Gavigan". Men's Fitness. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  6. ^ "Jessica Alba, Christopher Gavigan defend 'Honest' amid sunscreen backlash". Fox News. August 4, 2015.
  7. ^ Johnson, Zach (August 4, 2015). "Jessica Alba and Christopher Gavigan Defend The Honest Company Sunscreen Lotion Amid Consumer Backlash". Eonline.com.
  8. ^ a b "Christopher Gavigan". WebMD. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  9. ^ Correa, Barbara (May 26, 2008). "Safe water: The bottle or the tap?". Daily Breeze. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  10. ^ ZWAHLEN, CYNDIA (September 27, 2000). "Adventure Firm Needs a Good Plan of Attack". Los Angeles Times.
  11. ^ Gavigan, Christopher (June 19, 2010). "Celebrating Eco-Dads This Father's Day with Christopher Gavigan of Healthy Child Healthy World". LuxEcoLiving. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Gilmore, Grace (September 26, 2024). "A Holistic Approach to Climate Action—With Christopher Gavigan". Bedford 2030. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  13. ^ "Christopher Gavigan on the commitment to being an Earth-first brand". Kathy Varol. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  14. ^ "Trove". trove.nla.gov.au. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  15. ^ "Christopher Gavigan". The Legacy Lab. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  16. ^ Çam, Deniz. "Inside Jessica Alba's Long And Turbulent Road To Taking The Honest Company Public". Forbes. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  17. ^ Mulligan, Kathryn (July 30, 2019). "The Honest Company's Co-Founder Discusses the Business of Wellness". Middle Market Growth. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  18. ^ Shapiro, Katie. "Prima Earns B Corp Certification, Positioning To Become The Patagonia Of CBD". Forbes. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  19. ^ Sternlicht, Alexandra. "Does CBD Work? Sephora Is Making A Bet, And 29-Year-Old Prima Cofounder Jessica Assaf Is A Key Player". Forbes. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  20. ^ Berke, Jeremy. "The CEO of hot CBD-skincare startup Prima dishes on how he got VCs like Greycroft and Lerer Hippeau to invest". Business Insider. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  21. ^ Tietjen, Alexa (July 24, 2020). "Prima's Christopher Gavigan on Building Trust in the Purpose Economy". WWD. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  22. ^ "Interview with Christopher Gavigan Co-Founder of The Honest Co. - Verified Mom". February 12, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  23. ^ "Healthy Child Healthy World". UC Santa Barbara Alumni. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  24. ^ "The launch story behind The Honest Company". Business Podcast for Startups. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  25. ^ Brue, Alexia (May 13, 2017). "What it's like to work with Jessica Alba at Honest". Well+Good. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  26. ^ Birkinbine, Julia (March 25, 2018). "Just Like Her 'Grey's Anatomy' Character, Jessica Capshaw Is a Working Mom Trying to Balance It All". Closer Weekly.
  27. ^ Hautman, Nicholas (May 10, 2016). "Jessica Capshaw Gives Birth: 'Grey's Anatomy' Star Welcomes Fourth Child With Husband Christopher Gavigan". Us Magazine.
  28. ^ Schafer, Jenny (September 11, 2017). "Jessica Capshaw & Christopher Gavigan's Son Turns 10". Celebritybabyscoop.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  29. ^ "Christopher Gavigan Co-founder, Honest.com & Author". Kids in the House. June 12, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  30. ^ "2010 WebMD Health Heroes". WebMD. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  31. ^ "WebMD Announces 2010 Health Heroes". WebMD. November 10, 2010.
  32. ^ "EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2014 Greater Los Angeles Awards". Sbnonline.com. June 30, 2014.
  33. ^ "EY names L.A. Entrepreneur of the Year finalists". L.A. Business First. May 15, 2014.