Yesterday, according to report, Glossier has appointed Colin Walsh as its new chief executive officer, effective October 6. He succeeds Kyle Leahy, who announced in June that she would step down from the role at the end of the year. Walsh also revealed his own departure from Procter & Gamble’s specialty beauty division that same month.
Glossier founder and executive chairwoman Emily Weiss expressed strong confidence in the appointment, stating, “He’s one of the very best CEOs in beauty, and his experience building and fostering brands makes him the ideal leader to guide this next chapter.” Walsh has previously led brands including Ouai, both before and after its acquisition by P&G.
Reflecting on his new role, Walsh emphasized Glossier’s enduring influence: “It’s a brand that had my heart for a long, long time. Anyone who’s been in the industry knows the power and magic.” He noted that his early priorities will focus on listening—to the team, the industry, and Glossier’s customers.
Founded in 2014, Glossier quickly became a direct-to-consumer pioneer before expanding into Sephora in 2023, a move that introduced the brand to new categories such as fragrance and to international markets including France. Walsh acknowledged the evolving beauty landscape, stressing that future growth will require clarity around brand purpose, customer relationships, and beloved products.
“Glossier was built by listening to its community, and that DNA is still at its core,” he said, hinting at opportunities for category expansion without rushing into every segment. “A big part of my listening tour will be external, to stay true to that heritage while shaping Glossier’s next chapter.”
