At Mary Kay, leadership has always meant leaving behind a meaningful and lasting legacy. For over six decades, the company has focused on empowering women, nurturing purpose-driven leaders, and partnering with institutions that shape the civic and social fabric of communities. Among those partners is the Texas Lyceum, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders by encouraging civic engagement and fostering dialogue around Texas policy issues across both public and private sectors.
Mary Kay Inc. has stood alongside the Texas Lyceum for more than 40 years, sharing in its mission of cultivating informed, ethical, and collaborative leadership. That tradition continues with Michelle Erbeyi, a government relations and public affairs leader at Mary Kay, who was recently named a Director of the Texas Lyceum.
In her role at Mary Kay, Michelle advocates for policies that strengthen opportunities for the company’s independent beauty consultants around the globe. Her work connects corporate purpose with public policy, community impact, and long-term growth—all rooted in the guiding values of the organization. As she celebrates 10 years with Mary Kay and begins her new chapter with the Texas Lyceum, Michelle reflects on what leadership and service mean to her.
Q1: Michelle, you’re stepping into your role with the Texas Lyceum while celebrating a decade at Mary Kay. How do these moments align for you?
It truly feels like things have come full circle. Mary Kay has shaped who I am as a professional and as a person over the past 10 years. It’s an organization that leads with intention and prioritizes lifting others along the way. I’ve had the honor of advocating for our independent beauty consultants, who are the very core of our business.
Joining the Texas Lyceum as a Director feels like a natural extension of that work. The Lyceum is about uniting people from diverse perspectives to influence Texas’ future. It’s about leadership through service, listening, and making a long-term difference—the same lessons I’ve carried from Mary Kay.
Q2: What leadership lessons from Mary Kay will you take into your Lyceum role?
At Mary Kay, I’ve learned that leadership begins with service. We often talk about the “Go-Give” spirit—leading with empathy, generosity, and purpose. Our founder, Mary Kay Ash, built this company on the principle that success comes from helping others succeed, and that belief remains at the heart of everything we do.
Over the years, I’ve partnered with leaders in both the public and private sectors to champion women’s economic empowerment, sustainability, and equal access to opportunity. Whether advocating for independent consultants or representing Mary Kay in policy forums, the guiding question has always been: Are we creating opportunities for others? That spirit of bridge-building and showing up for people is what I’ll carry with me to the Lyceum.
Q3: You’ve often emphasized mentorship and representation. How will these values influence your contributions to the Lyceum?
Mentorship has been essential in my own journey. I didn’t have a clear path to follow, so I leaned on mentors who believed in me before I believed in myself.
Now, I strive to offer that same support to others. As a Lyceum Director, I want to broaden access to leadership spaces, ensuring the next generation of leaders not only has a seat at the table but also feels confident in using their voice once they are there.
Q4: Outside of work, you’re very active in your community. What motivates that involvement?
Meaningful change starts locally. I’ve served on my son’s school PTA board and worked with nonprofits such as the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the DFW Hispanic 100. For me, leadership doesn’t always have to be loud—it can be steady, intentional, and rooted in showing up consistently. As a mom, I want my son to see that leadership begins with caring about your community enough to get involved.
Q5: What excites you most about joining the Texas Lyceum, and where do you see yourself in the next decade?
I’m excited about collaborating with leaders across Texas who care deeply about critical issues like education, workforce development, and civic engagement. The Lyceum provides a forum for civil, respectful conversations that spark solutions.
As a Director, I’ll contribute to statewide initiatives that bring these topics forward, while also offering insights from the corporate world, especially around women’s economic empowerment.
On a personal note, I’ve also started pursuing my J.D. at St. Mary’s University School of Law—something I’ve long wanted to do. It’s a chance to strengthen my expertise in government relations while continuing my work at Mary Kay. Much like the Lyceum, law school allows me to refine the tools I use to connect policy with people’s lives and expand opportunities for others.
Looking ahead, I want to keep advocating for women entrepreneurs, fostering inclusive leadership, and contributing to a Texas—and a world—that ensures opportunity for all.
Did You Know?
Texas’ economy, valued at an estimated $2.7 trillion, ranks as the eighth largest in the world—greater than the GDP of Russia, Canada, and Italy. The state hosts 54 Fortune 500 headquarters, accounts for 1 in 10 of all U.S. publicly traded companies, and is home to over 3.5 million small businesses and startups. Texas continues to lead in job creation, adding 213,300 jobs over the past year and marking growth in 59 of the last 61 months, surpassing the national average. Mary Kay Inc. has stood alongside the Texas Lyceum for more than 40 years, sharing in its mission of cultivating informed, ethical, and collaborative leadership. That tradition continues with Michelle Erbeyi, a government relations and public affairs leader at Mary Kay, who was recently named a Director of the Texas Lyceum.
In her role at Mary Kay, Michelle advocates for policies that strengthen opportunities for the company’s independent beauty consultants around the globe. Her work connects corporate purpose with public policy, community impact, and long-term growth—all rooted in the guiding values of the organization. As she celebrates 10 years with Mary Kay and begins her new chapter with the Texas Lyceum, Michelle reflects on what leadership and service mean to her.
Q1: Michelle, you’re stepping into your role with the Texas Lyceum while celebrating a decade at Mary Kay. How do these moments align for you?
It truly feels like things have come full circle. Mary Kay has shaped who I am as a professional and as a person over the past 10 years. It’s an organization that leads with intention and prioritizes lifting others along the way. I’ve had the honor of advocating for our independent beauty consultants, who are the very core of our business.
Joining the Texas Lyceum as a Director feels like a natural extension of that work. The Lyceum is about uniting people from diverse perspectives to influence Texas’ future. It’s about leadership through service, listening, and making a long-term difference—the same lessons I’ve carried from Mary Kay.
Q2: What leadership lessons from Mary Kay will you take into your Lyceum role?
At Mary Kay, I’ve learned that leadership begins with service. We often talk about the “Go-Give” spirit—leading with empathy, generosity, and purpose. Our founder, Mary Kay Ash, built this company on the principle that success comes from helping others succeed, and that belief remains at the heart of everything we do.
Over the years, I’ve partnered with leaders in both the public and private sectors to champion women’s economic empowerment, sustainability, and equal access to opportunity. Whether advocating for independent consultants or representing Mary Kay in policy forums, the guiding question has always been: Are we creating opportunities for others? That spirit of bridge-building and showing up for people is what I’ll carry with me to the Lyceum.
Q3: You’ve often emphasized mentorship and representation. How will these values influence your contributions to the Lyceum?
Mentorship has been essential in my own journey. I didn’t have a clear path to follow, so I leaned on mentors who believed in me before I believed in myself.
Now, I strive to offer that same support to others. As a Lyceum Director, I want to broaden access to leadership spaces, ensuring the next generation of leaders not only has a seat at the table but also feels confident in using their voice once they are there.
Q4: Outside of work, you’re very active in your community. What motivates that involvement?
Meaningful change starts locally. I’ve served on my son’s school PTA board and worked with nonprofits such as the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the DFW Hispanic 100. For me, leadership doesn’t always have to be loud—it can be steady, intentional, and rooted in showing up consistently. As a mom, I want my son to see that leadership begins with caring about your community enough to get involved.
Q5: What excites you most about joining the Texas Lyceum, and where do you see yourself in the next decade?
I’m excited about collaborating with leaders across Texas who care deeply about critical issues like education, workforce development, and civic engagement. The Lyceum provides a forum for civil, respectful conversations that spark solutions.
As a Director, I’ll contribute to statewide initiatives that bring these topics forward, while also offering insights from the corporate world, especially around women’s economic empowerment.
On a personal note, I’ve also started pursuing my J.D. at St. Mary’s University School of Law—something I’ve long wanted to do. It’s a chance to strengthen my expertise in government relations while continuing my work at Mary Kay. Much like the Lyceum, law school allows me to refine the tools I use to connect policy with people’s lives and expand opportunities for others.
Looking ahead, I want to keep advocating for women entrepreneurs, fostering inclusive leadership, and contributing to a Texas—and a world—that ensures opportunity for all.
Did You Know?