Yesterday, Ulta Beauty CEO Dave Kimbell announced his retirement. Kecia Steelman will succeed Kimbell as CEO and join the company’s board of directors. Kimbell, who joined Ulta in 2014 and became CEO in 2021, will remain as an adviser until June 28, 2025.
Kimbell began his tenure at Ulta as Chief Marketing Officer in 2014, steadily expanding his leadership responsibilities. He was appointed Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer in 2015, became President in 2019, and ultimately succeeded Mary Dillon as CEO in 2021.
Lorna Nagler, Chair of Ulta Beauty’s Board of Directors, stated, “On behalf of the board, we are grateful to Dave for his guidance, dedication, and integrity, and for the significant contributions he has made to Ulta Beauty. Dave has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to unlocking the power of beauty for our guests and enhancing Ulta Beauty’s market leadership. He has played a pivotal role in shaping Ulta Beauty into the company we are today, and we appreciate his continued service as an adviser during this transition.”
Reflecting on his retirement, Kimbell said, “Serving as CEO of Ulta Beauty has been the highlight of my career, and I am proud to have led and worked alongside so many associates passionate about delivering exceptional experiences for our guests. Kecia is a strategic leader with a proven track record of driving operational excellence and creating outstanding guest experiences while fostering a caring and inclusive culture. I have every confidence she will expand Ulta Beauty’s leadership in the beauty and wellness sectors.”
Steelman expressed her commitment to driving Ulta’s growth and emphasized the company’s role as a leading beauty and wellness destination. She stated, “I am honored to become the next CEO of Ulta Beauty. Our strategic priorities will enable us to capture greater market share and achieve long-term growth.”
Steelman was named Chief Operating Officer in 2021 when Kimbell became CEO. Before that, she served as Chief Store Operations Officer since 2015 and held the position of Group Vice President at Family Dollar Stores from 2011 to 2014.
Although Ulta saw slight improvement in its third-quarter results, with net sales increasing by 1.7% to $2.53 billion, Kimbell had cautioned that the company still faced challenges.
