Mary-Elizabeth Gifford is Jurlique Creative Director and Vice President for Global Brand Communications. She joined Jurlique from the original legendary Golden Door in California and at Rancho La Puerta, where she worked for over a dozen years as the spokeswoman and the Creative Director. Under her guidance, the two spas were successfully positioned as expressive of the eco-chic, organic luxury phenomenon, winning wide recognition as well as awards from Condé Nast Traveler ,Travel + Leisure, USA Today. Known for her knowledge of sustainable practices as well as beauty and health and her observations on trends and contemporary culture, Mary-Elizabeth is a regular source for media outlets that include The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Formerly a journalist, Mary-Elizabeth was a prize-winning reporter whose work appeared in the Los Angeles Times, New York magazine, and elsewhere. She has also worked in television news. Her photography has been published in Vanity Fair, The New York Post, and The New York Daily News. A native of New York City, she graduated from Brown University with honors and was an Affiliate of Harvard University's Nieman Foundation of Journalism. A past board member of the International Spa Association, Mary-Elizabeth is also active in the Destination Spa Group and the New York Spa Promotion Alliance. The second-generation of her family to work in public affairs and media relations, Mary-Elizabeth's work in creative direction, brand development, marketing and communications has its roots in Gifford/Wallace, Inc., the boutique Park Avenue agency founded by Mary-Elizabeth's family.