Former Lululemon chief Calvin McDonald will take the helm of The Wella Company as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective April 2, 2026, tasking the seasoned retail executive with leading Wella into its next phase of growth.
McDonald will join the professional beauty group’s Board of Directors and be based in New York. Glenn Murphy will transition to Executive Chair, providing strategic guidance and continuity during the leadership change, according to Wella.
McDonald served as CEO of Lululemon from 2018 until stepping down Jan. 31 after nearly seven years at the helm. Before his tenure at the athleisure giant, McDonald led Sephora Americas, where he turned hair care into the company’s fastest-growing category.
He had previously served as president and CEO of Sears Canada, and sits on the Board of The Walt Disney Company.
“I’m thrilled to return to the beauty industry,” McDonald says. “This is a pivotal moment for The Wella Company, and I'm excited to join this talented team as we shape the future of beauty together.”
The leadership shift comes as Wella continues to evolve under parent company KKR, which finalized its purchase from Coty at the end of 2025. Through Wella's portfolio — which includes Wella Professionals, OPI, Sebastian Professional, Nioxin, ghd, and Clairol — the company says it's strengthening its innovation pipeline and positioning itself for long-term, sustainable growth.
“As a three-time CEO, (McDonald) brings decades of experience at industry-leading global consumer brands and retail businesses,” Murphy says.
“Calvin's proven ability to drive results through product differentiation, category expansion, and smart investments will help us win in the dynamic beauty sector.”