Wella Company has named Calvin McDonald as its chief executive, the company announced on Wednesday.
McDonald previously led Sephora’s North American business for five years and worked at the Canadian retailer Loblaw. He replaces Annie Young-Scrivner, who resigned in Jan. 2025.
McDonald also spent seven years as the CEO of Lululemon, where he tripled sales to over $10 billion. He stepped down in Jan. 2026 after the athleisure retailer’s US business began to slow and its original founder, Chip Wilson, publicly accused him and other leadership of causing a “loss of cool.”
Wella Company was formed in 2020 when private equity firm KKR acquired the Wella Professionals and Clairol hair brands, as well as the OPI nail label and GHD hair tools range from Coty. Earlier in February, Reuters reported that KKR was preparing an initial public offering for Wella Company at a “meaningfully more” than $4.3 billion valuation the company acquired it at.
Glenn Murphy, who has led the company in the interim and serves as executive chair, hailed McDonald’s extended executive tenure, saying he brings decades of consumer brand experience.
“[McDonald’s] proven ability to drive results through product differentiation, category expansion and smart investments will help us win in the dynamic beauty sector,” he said in a statement.
Why Lululemon’s CEO Is Stepping Down
Slowing growth, rising costs and a loud campaign from its outspoken founder set the stage for Calvin McDonald’s exit. It may be the athleisure giant’s best hope to regain its cultural momentum.
