Caroline Pieper-Vogt, President of the Scent Marketing Institute Honored at 8th Annual "Beyond Beauty" Gala Hosted by The James E. Marshall OCD Foundation

NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Caroline Pieper-Vogt, President of the Scent Marketing Institute was honored at the 8th Annual Beyond Beauty gala hosted by The James E. Marshall OCD Foundation at the Union League in New York City.

Caroline Pieper-Vogt, an authority in the beauty industry for over 25 years, knows firsthand that raising awareness is the only way to increase resources and, ultimately, speed the process of finding a cure for any ailment.  At an early age, her son was diagnosed with autism, but because of the significant amount of knowledge on the disorder and the huge reservoir of resources available, Pieper-Vogt's family was able to implement a regimen that would later reverse her son's diagnosis.

"To find a solution to any problem, people must first understand that a problem exists," said Pieper-Vogt. "When it comes to OCD, the extent of the disorder is not well known, and the necessary resources to deal with the condition aren't available due to the unfamiliarity of the illness. I want to help raise awareness of OCD as so many others did for autism which provided enormous help to me and my family."

The James E. Marshall OCD Foundation was founded in 2003 by Elysee Scientific Cosmetics President Linda Marshall and her family, in memory of her son who battled the condition his entire life. Proceeds from the event will go directly to support the research of Dr. Gerald Nestadt, director of the Johns Hopkins Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science. The James E. Marshall OCD Foundation is currently the only organization dedicated to raising funds for genetic research related to this debilitating disease.  Other honorees at this year's Beyond Beauty were Jill Belasco, CEO of Maesa Group, and Liz Kaplow, President and CEO of Kaplow PR.

"Few people understand how truly devastating OCD can be, for both the people who suffer from it and the families and friends who love them," says Linda Marshall. "People often hear about other diseases and conditions, however, many who suffer from OCD are too ashamed to bring attention to it. Though it is listed as one of the top ten most disabling diseases by the National Institute of Mental Health, there is limited awareness around it. Our foundation is dedicated to changing that so people with OCD can get the help and support they need."

Caroline Pieper-Vogt has been active with The James E. Marshall OCD Foundation and attended the gala for the past three years, but is taking her Beyond Beauty honor even further.  She has agreed to serve on the committee for next year's Beyond Beauty gala and plans to join Linda Marshall in Washington as part of the crusade to raise awareness of OCD.

Pieper-Vogt was a Fashion Group International Rising Star Finalist in 2011, one of More Magazine's Top 10 Beauty Queens in 2004, recipient of the Fashion Group International Spirit of Volunteerism Award in 2002 and New York Women's Agenda Woman of the Future Award in 2001. She has also launched several award-winning products and marketing campaigns and is an active board member of Fashion Group International, Cosmetic Executive Women and a member of the Young President's Organization.

For more information, please visit: http://www.cureocd.org 

SOURCE Scent Marketing Institute