Ouai appoints Susan Kim as new Chief Executive Officer
The appointment represents a key milestone for the brand as it enters its next era of growth and expansion under seasoned executive leadership.
USA – Ouai has appointed Susan J. Kim as its new CEO, effective May 19, 2026, in a strategic leadership move that positions the prestige haircare brand for its next phase of global expansion.
Kim, who has served as CEO of Kopari Beauty since 2020, succeeds Colin Walsh, who departed the company in September 2025 to become CEO of Glossier.
The brand, founded in February 2016 by celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin and currently owned by Procter & Gamble, will see Atkin continue in her role as chief creative officer while Kim takes the helm as CEO.
Kim’s primary strategic priorities as Ouai CEO include accelerating international expansion to grow the brand’s global footprint, driving digital sales growth through e-commerce momentum, and maintaining Ouai’s luxury positioning in the prestige market.
Kim brings extensive beauty industry experience to Ouai, having previously held senior marketing and digital leadership positions at major companies, including L’Oréal, Benefit Cosmetics, and Huda Beauty, before joining Kopari Beauty.
At Kopari, she led the sun, skin, and body care brand through a period of significant growth, demonstrating her ability to scale beauty businesses effectively.
Her track record in driving brand expansion and digital transformation makes her well-suited for Ouai’s ambitious growth plans.
Ouai describes this C-suite change as a strategic decision that reflects the company’s commitment to scaling operations globally while preserving its core brand identity under founder Jen Atkin’s continued creative direction.
The leadership transition comes at a critical time as the P&G-owned beauty brand seeks to strengthen its competitive position in the global prestige haircare market.
In a similar move, Boots has appointed outgoing Currys chief executive Alex Baldock as its next CEO, placing him at the centre of the retailer’s preparations for a potential London IPO.
Baldock is expected to join Boots in the autumn and succeed Anthony Hemmerdinger, who currently leads Boots UK, Ireland, Opticians and No7 Beauty Company.
The leadership change comes as Boots’ owners explore a possible return to the London stock market, with reports suggesting a potential listing could be considered as early as 2027.
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