Krista McDonough Kubida joins Wella’s leadership team, bringing extensive legal expertise from global luxury and fashion sectors to drive the company’s strategic growth.
The Wella Company, a leading force in the global hair, nail, and beauty technology industry, has announced the appointment of Krista McDonough Kubida as its new Chief Legal Officer (CLO), marking a significant step in the company’s ongoing transformation and strategic evolution. Her appointment will take effect on June 29, 2026, and she will be based in New York City as part of the company’s senior leadership team.
Krista brings with her a wealth of experience spanning corporate law, global retail expansion, sustainability, and governance. She joins Wella from Capri Holdings Limited, a publicly traded global luxury fashion company listed on the NYSE. Capri Holdings is widely recognized as the parent organization behind some of the most iconic brands in fashion, including Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. During her nearly 15-year tenure at Capri, Krista served as Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer, where she played a central role in shaping the company’s legal strategy while also advancing its sustainability agenda.
Throughout her time at Capri Holdings, Krista was deeply involved in overseeing major corporate transactions and leading cross-functional initiatives that supported the company’s global growth. She helped guide the organization through expansion across retail, wholesale, and eCommerce channels, ensuring that legal frameworks aligned with business objectives in an increasingly complex and competitive market. Her ability to navigate high-stakes decisions while maintaining a strong focus on governance and compliance earned her recognition as a strategic partner to executive leadership.
Before joining Capri Holdings, Krista began her legal career at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, a prestigious law firm known for its work in corporate law and capital markets. There, she advised both public companies and private equity clients on a wide range of complex transactions, securities matters, and regulatory issues. This early foundation provided her with deep technical expertise and a strong understanding of financial markets, which she has carried throughout her career.
Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Wella, as the company continues to redefine itself as a modern beauty powerhouse. Over the past five years, Wella has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a dynamic portfolio of globally recognized brands across professional and consumer segments. Today, the company’s portfolio includes industry leaders such as Wella Professionals, widely regarded as the number one salon color brand worldwide, alongside OPI, ghd, Sebastian Professional, Nioxin, Clairol, and Wella/Koleston.
These brands have built strong reputations through a combination of science-led innovation, long-standing trust among professional stylists, and a deep understanding of evolving consumer preferences. Wella’s products are now sold in more than 100 countries, serving both salon professionals and everyday consumers. The company’s ability to balance heritage with innovation has positioned it as a leader in the global beauty market.
Welcoming Krista to the organization, Calvin McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of The Wella Company, emphasized the strategic importance of her appointment. He highlighted her extensive experience working with brand-driven consumer businesses and her strong commercial acumen as key assets that will support Wella’s continued growth. According to McDonald, Krista’s proven track record of collaborating with executive teams and boards, combined with her ability to build high-performing legal organizations, will play a crucial role in shaping the company’s future.
He also noted that as Wella continues to build on its momentum and expand its global presence, having a forward-thinking legal leader will be essential in navigating regulatory complexities, enabling innovation, and ensuring strong governance. Krista’s leadership is expected to reinforce Wella’s commitment to excellence while supporting its ambitions in an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving industry.
From her perspective, Krista expressed enthusiasm about joining Wella during what she described as an exciting phase in its transformation journey. She pointed to the company’s rich brand heritage, entrepreneurial culture, and performance-driven mindset as factors that strongly resonate with her professional values. She also emphasized her eagerness to collaborate closely with McDonald and the broader leadership team to drive innovation, support sustainable growth, and strengthen governance frameworks.
Krista’s appointment also marks a leadership transition, as she succeeds Kathy Leo, who recently announced her retirement. Kathy played a critical role in building and strengthening Wella’s legal and compliance foundation during her tenure. Under her leadership, the company developed a robust legal infrastructure and assembled a high-caliber team capable of supporting its global operations. Wella acknowledged Kathy’s contributions and expressed gratitude for her leadership and lasting impact on the organization.
Looking ahead, the addition of Krista McDonough Kubida to Wella’s leadership team signals a continued commitment to strategic growth, innovation, and operational excellence. As the company navigates the next phase of its evolution, her expertise in legal strategy, governance, and sustainability will be instrumental in supporting Wella’s long-term vision.
With a strong portfolio of brands, a renewed leadership team, and a clear focus on the future, The Wella Company is well-positioned to further solidify its standing as a global leader in beauty—delivering value not only to its customers and partners but also to the broader industry.
About The Wella Company
The Wella Company is an innovative global beauty leader with a robust portfolio of iconic, time-tested brands, including Wella Professionals – the #1 salon color brand globally*, OPI, ghd, Sebastian Professional, Nioxin, Clairol, and Wella / Koleston.
The company’s 6,000+ employees blend science and artistry to innovate, market, and sell a comprehensive range of hair and nail brands, spanning hair color, care, styling, and treatment products, and nail lacquers and care products, as well as heat- and air-assisted hair styling devices. Its 145-year heritage is professional-first, and today the company serves salon owners, hair stylists, nail technicians, and end consumers in over 100 countries.
The company has a performance-based culture, enduring entrepreneurial spirit, and shared desire to positively impact the communities it serves. The company has primary offices in New York City, Geneva, London, and Calabasas, California. The company also has facilities and large employee populations in Germany, Mexico, Thailand, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Japan, India, France, Canada, and Australia, among many others.
