NEW YORK — Glossier has appointed Colin Walsh as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective October 2025. Walsh succeeds Kyle Leahy, who announced in June that she would step down by year-end after three years at the helm.
Walsh is a veteran of the beauty industry, with leadership experience spanning startups and global giants. He served as CEO of Ouai before and after its acquisition by Procter & Gamble, later becoming CEO of P&G’s specialty beauty division. Most recently, he founded the digestive supplement brand YayDay in 2024.
In a LinkedIn post announcing his appointment, Walsh wrote, “As I step into this next chapter, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with [founder] Emily Weiss, the Glossier team, and the board to build on that foundation and to help shape the future of this remarkable brand. Most of all, I am looking forward to learning from the team, amplifying the magic that is already here, and working together to make Glossier a true legacy brand.”
Glossier founder Emily Weiss praised Walsh’s track record: “Colin is one of the top CEOs in beauty, who has led brands through incredible growth. He is respected and adored by peers and his teams alike, and most importantly, believes deeply in brand magic. A true lover of beauty, of people and their potential, and of having a good time while working hard. We are so excited to have him guide this next chapter for Glossier.”
Outgoing CEO Leahy also endorsed the leadership transition. “[Walsh] brings deep beauty expertise across categories and stages of companies, and I am confident he is the right person to lead Glossier into its next chapter,” she said. “Colin is devoted to the customer and leads with heart. He cares deeply about this incredibly special brand and equally importantly the people building it.”
Leahy, who joined Glossier in 2021 as chief commercial officer before succeeding Weiss as CEO the following year, guided the company through a period of transformation. She oversaw the brand’s expansion from direct-to-consumer roots into omnichannel retail, launching with Sephora in the U.S. and Canada and extending distribution to Mecca Brands in Australia and New Zealand and Space NK in the U.K. During her tenure, marketplace sales grew 80% and profitability expanded by 35 points, adding approximately $60 million of EBITDA.
“From its earliest days, Glossier has stood apart as a brand built on community, conversation, and culture. It’s inspired millions of people and redefined what beauty can mean,” Walsh said in a separate LinkedIn post. “My goal is to help make Glossier a true legacy brand.”
