The Wella Company has appointed Calvin McDonald as its new Chief Executive Officer, starting April 2. He will also join the Board of Directors and work from New York. This leadership change comes as talk grows about a possible U.S. IPO.
This appointment comes at an important time for Wella, which is owned by the private equity firm KKR.
McDonald takes over from interim leader Glenn Murphy, who will remain Executive Chair to help ensure stability and provide strategic advice.
Murphy welcomed the appointment and pointed to McDonald’s strong experience with global consumer brands. “His proven ability to drive results through product differentiation, category expansion and smart investments will help us win in the dynamic beauty sector,” he said.
Nancy Ford, a partner at KKR, agreed and said the company has grown strongly since KKR first invested. She believes McDonald is ready to lead Wella into its next stage.
McDonald brings decades of executive experience across retail and consumer sectors. Most recently, he served as CEO of Lululemon Athletica, where he spent seven years transforming the activewear brand into a global powerhouse.
Before that, he led Sephora North America during a time of fast digital change and growth in beauty retail. Earlier, he held leadership roles at Sears Canada and spent almost twenty years at Loblaw Companies Ltd.
“I’m thrilled to return to the beauty industry — an innovative, fast-evolving sector powered by consumers who are genuinely passionate about the products they love,” McDonald said in a statement. He added that he is energized by the opportunity to elevate Wella’s iconic portfolio and deepen connections with both professionals and consumers.
The Wella Company manages several major brands, such as Wella Professionals, OPI, Clairol, Briogeo, and GHD. The company has been building its global presence since KKR bought a majority stake for $4.3 billion. In December 2025, Coty Inc. sold its remaining stake in Wella to KKR, making KKR the sole owner.
Industry experts say McDonald’s appointment aligns with reports that KKR may be preparing Wella for a possible U.S. public offering, which could value the company much higher than when it was acquired.
With McDonald at the helm, Wella appears poised to accelerate innovation, expand categories, and reinforce its standing in the professional and consumer beauty markets. His experience blending brand-building, digital strategy, and operational discipline could prove critical as the company navigates a competitive, rapidly evolving landscape.
As the beauty industry moves toward more personalized, premium, and multi-channel experiences, Wella’s leadership change shows the company is getting ready for its next phase of growth and possibly a public offering.
