Lululemon Athletica has hired Athleta CEO Maggie Gauger as its new president and chief product officer, effective later this month, marking a high-profile executive shake-up in the athleisure sector just a year after Gauger joined the Gap-owned brand from Nike.
Executive Shifts and Leadership Restructuring
Here is the math on the latest C-suite transition: Lululemon announced the creation of Gauger’s role alongside the appointment of Joseph Godsey as chief operating officer. Alongside these appointments, Nikki Neuburger, chief brand and product activation officer, and Ted Dagnese, chief supply chain officer, will depart the company in November to pursue other opportunities.
The Bottom Line
- Leadership Overhaul: Former Athleta CEO Maggie Gauger joins Lululemon as president and chief product officer, while Joseph Godsey takes over as chief operating officer.
- Departing Executives: Nikki Neuburger and Ted Dagnese are leaving the company in November.
- Ongoing Vacancies: Lululemon continues its search for a chief brand officer, a chief communications officer, and a chief technology officer.
Operational Strategy Under Heidi O’Neill
The executive changes follow a period of transition under CEO Heidi O’Neill, who assumed her role last month after Lululemon experienced more than a year of disappointing sales performance amid a proxy battle that drew public criticism from founder Chip Wilson. O’Neill stated that the company is establishing a deeply experienced leadership team to operate in a more coordinated manner.
We are establishing a deeply experienced leadership team that will work in a more coordinated manner, aligned around the strategy and execution that delivers the most impact for our guests, our communities, and our business.
O’Neill said in a statement.
O’Neill further emphasized the core focus of the restructuring:
That starts with putting product, design, and innovation at the center of how we operate, with the focus and accountability to create a stronger pipeline of differentiated product to raise the bar for our guests across every touchpoint, in stores and online. Lululemon CEO Heidi O'Neill
Athleta Prepares for Interim Leadership
Parent company Gap confirmed Gauger’s departure in a statement provided to CNBC. Erika Everett, the current chief marketing officer for Athleta, will oversee the brand CEO role on an interim basis.
Gap addressed the transition by stating that management has been actively shaping Athleta’s next chapter and the changes needed to position the brand for long-term growth. The parent company noted that the transition enables them to accelerate that work, strengthen connections with customers, and unlock the brand’s full potential.
| Executive Appointee | New Role at Lululemon | Previous Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Maggie Gauger | President and Chief Product Officer | Athleta (Gap) / Nike |
| Joseph Godsey | Chief Operating Officer |
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
