Wella Company, one of the world’s leading beauty companies, has retained Hanold Associates for its VP, People, Performance and Culture and VP, DEI Searches. Hanold Associates’ Lisa Butkus, Val Lopez and Jordan Blackmon will lead the searches for these roles.
With roots dating back to the 1800s, Wella currently comprises 15 iconic brands including Wella Professionals, Clairol, OPI, Nioxin and ghd. These brands make an array of products and appliances for hair and nails, both for professional and at-home use. In late 2020, KKR purchased a majority stake in Wella from Coty Inc. for $2.5 billion, creating a new stand-alone company from Wella’s existing brands. Headquartered in both Geneva, Switzerland and New York City, Wella operates in more than 100 countries with ~6,000 employees.
As a newly standalone company, Wella is evolving an infrastructure within the People function, starting by adding new leaders to oversee HRBP and DEI responsibilities. The VP, People, Performance and Culture will support and ensure ongoing people operations continue smoothly during the transition by serving as an HR business partner to several senior leaders. The VP, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will build on Wella’s existing diversity successes by developing a more formalized, structured and differentiated global strategy for DE&I. Located in New York City, both leaders will report to Global Chief People Officer Gretchen Kobak Pursel.
