NEW YORK, Oct 24 –The Wella Company, the world’s largest pure-play hair and nail company, today announced strategic leadership changes to support its next phase, including a new organizational design for its Global Brand and Marketing function.
The Wella Company is evolving the design of its Global Brand and Marketing function into two distinct but complementary teams, each with a dedicated leader and a clear mandate. Global Brand will be focused on building the strength of the Company’s portfolio of brands, while Global Marketing will be focused on translating that strength into consumer demand. Together, these newly designed teams will better enable the Company to continue building brand awareness, creating strong brand affinity, and driving advocacy among consumers and professionals.
In connection with this change, Yannis Rodocanachi is transitioning to the newly created role of Chief Brand Officer and industry veteran Carole Gardner Diarra will join as Chief Marketing Officer. The Wella Company has also appointed Victoria Spadaro Grant as Chief Scientific & Product Officer and Javier Huerta as Chief Supply Chain Officer as it continues to invest in its innovation and supply chain capabilities. Yannis, Carole, and Victoria will report to Calvin McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, and Javier will report to Frank Smalla, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
Quote from Calvin McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of The Wella Company:
“The Wella Company is entering an exciting new chapter. We have iconic brands, deep scientific expertise, and exceptional relationships with professionals, and these leaders bring fresh perspectives, proven capabilities, and a shared ambition to move with speed, innovate boldly, and win with pros and consumers around the world. I’m excited about the team we are building and confident they are the right leaders as we shape the future of beauty together.”
These changes support The Wella Company’s priorities in brand building, innovation, and omnichannel strategy. The following appointments and transitions are part of this evolution.
Roles & Responsibilities:
- Yannis Rodocanachi has been appointed Chief Brand Officer, effective immediately. He previously served as The Wella Company’s President of Brands and Chief Marketing Officer. In the newly created Chief Brand Officer role, he will lead brand management, consumer and customer insights, and creative excellence, building brands that professionals and consumers choose and love across the Company’s portfolio of seven strategic brands.
- Carole Gardner Diarra has been appointed Chief Marketing Officer, effective November 2. She brings more than 25 years in beauty, fashion, and consumer brands, most recently at UGG as Global Vice President of Marketing. As Chief Marketing Officer, Ms. Diarra will lead Global Marketing and build the activation engine that turns brand love into consumer demand, extending the Company’s professionally led, consumer-driven approach across its portfolio.
- Victoria Spadaro Grant has been appointed Chief Scientific & Product Officer, effective January 18, 2027. She is currently Chief Science & Innovation Officer at Tate & Lyle and previously modernized R&D at Barilla. As Chief Scientific & Product Officer, she will bring science, consumer needs, and commercial opportunity closer together, building on the Company’s six global R&D centers, more than 300 scientists, and more than 1,200 granted and pending patents.
- Javier Huerta has been appointed Chief Supply Chain Officer, effective December 1, and will also join The Wella Company’s Leadership Team. He brings 30 years of global experience at Imperial Brands, where he built the first integrated end-to-end global Supply Chain, as well as at Unilever and Nestlé. As Chief Supply Chain Officer, he will lead the Company’s approximately 2,000-person global supply chain organization, evolving its sourcing, manufacturing, quality, and logistics capabilities to support our omnichannel strategy, including eCommerce and direct-to-consumer platforms for select brands.
With these changes, The Wella Company also announced Chief Scientific Officer Peter Coles’ planned retirement following an impressive 36-year career as a leader of R&D organizations across The Wella Company, Coty Inc., and Procter & Gamble. Peter will remain with The Wella Company in a part-time advisory capacity. The Wella Company thanks Peter for his significant contributions in shaping the Company and growing the R&D organization during his tenure.