Lisa Gersh, left, a graduate of the School of Law–Newark, and actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

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Lisa Gersh, left, a graduate of the School of Law–Newark, accepted the position as CEO of goop, which was started by actress Gwyneth Paltrow, when Gersh realized that the two of them shared a vision for the success of the company.

Photography: 
Geordie Wood/The New York Times/redux

After jumping on the carousel of Hollywood actresses who have introduced lifestyle and shopping websites, Gwyneth Paltrow recently extended a hand to alumna Lisa Gersh, who gladly stepped on to join her. In October, Gersh NLAW’83 became the new CEO of goop, which Paltrow started in 2008 while living in London with her  husband at the time, Chris Martin, the lead singer of the band Coldplay. The two women met through lifestyle entrepreneur and fitness maven Tracy Anderson.

“Lisa is a visionary leader with unparalleled creativity and savvy,” said Paltrow in a statement following Gersh’s appointment. “She’s the perfect person to build on the momentum we have already created at goop and to diversify our opportunities to bring goop’s positive energy directly to consumers in what they read, what they try, what they buy, and how they live.”

Gersh has plenty of business smarts as a media-industry executive, having led several successful start-up companies. She was a cofounder of Oxygen Media in 1998, serving as president and chief operating officer until the company was sold (at a handsome profit, thanks to her) to NBCUniversal Inc. in 2007. She remained as president of strategic initiatives at NBCU for three years before becoming the CEO and president of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, a stint that lasted for close to two years. A year or so later, over a homemade dinner that the actress prepared at her Los Angeles home, Paltrow offered Gersh the job of CEO of goop as the two women grew excited over the possibilities of what the company could become.

“As a fan since its launch,” said Gersh in a company announcement, “I’ve admired the inimitable voice and style Gwyneth has infused into goop and the business she’s built. It’s rare to work with such an inspired founder and a digitally native company, a brand that thinks digitally from an organic point-of-view and successfully fuses content and revenue-generating retail.”

Gersh, who sees potential for goop to harness digital content, commerce, and advertising, plans to sell goop-branded goods as well as merchandise developed alongside well-known designers such as Stella McCartney and Diane von Furstenberg. And there may be merit in eventually rolling out apparel, home goods, and beauty lines—all in keeping with the shared aesthetic of Gwyneth Paltrow and Lisa Gersh.

For further information, visit goop.com.