GARDEN CITY, N.Y.—Intimate wellness company Blush has restructured its leadership team with several new appointments in key roles.
Staci Cruse has been promoted to lead the U.S. sales team; Joel Castillo has been appointed to spearhead marketing operations; and Monica Banarsi joins the company to head financial operations.
The strategic appointments follow the recent departure of former Senior Director of Sales Operations JoAnn DeTurris. “As Blush enters its next phase of growth, restructuring the executive team around this core triad of sales, marketing and finance ensures the brand's infrastructure is fully optimized to scale,” a company representative said.
“Sexual wellness is no longer a niche category; it is a staple of everyday health and lifestyle,” Blush CEO and co-founder Verna Meng said. “To meet this mainstream demand, we are accelerating our product development to focus directly on real consumer needs, while ensuring that empowering, accessible education remains the foundation of how we connect with our audience. We are aligning our leadership team to seamlessly execute this consumer-first vision.”
Stepping into her new role leading the sales team, Cruse brings 15 years of comprehensive experience in the sexual wellness industry.
“Having navigated the market from every angle, beginning as a retail sales associate and evolving through key roles as a buyer, manager and regional sales manager, she possesses a profound understanding of the retail ecosystem,” the rep said. Cruse also brings her skillset as a certified sex educator to the team.
Taking over marketing operations, Castillo is tasked with elevating Blush into a mainstream wellness brand. Joining the company from the premium and luxury sectors, his background includes driving sustained profit and brand equity growth for global powerhouses, including LVMH's Hennessy and Pernod Ricard.
Stepping in to lead Blush's finances, Banarsi brings more than 20 years of analytical accounting experience. She previously served as assistant controller at David Peyser Sportswear, Inc., and has held key financial leadership roles including accounting manager at Alcott HR Group LLC and assistant controller at Travers Tool Company, Inc.
