Kimberly-Clark reshuffles executive team ahead of kenvue deal completion
The acquisition of Kenvue remains on schedule for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026.
USA – Kimberly-Clark Corporation has announced planned executive changes ahead of its proposed acquisition of Kenvue Inc.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Russ Torres, Kimberly-Clark’s president and chief operating officer, will leave the company to take up an external chief executive role.
Torres also leads the Integration Management Office. He will remain at Kimberly-Clark until November to support an orderly handover.
Mike Hsu, chairman and chief executive officer of Kimberly-Clark, said, “Since joining Kimberly-Clark in 2020, Russ has made a significant impact on our people, business and brands.”
“He has played a key role in building a strong foundation in North America and helping plan and execute our Powering Care transformation and integration efforts, which have positioned the company to hit the ground running on day one.”
He also played an important role in planning and delivering Kimberly-Clark’s Powering Care transformation.
His work on the Kenvue integration has helped prepare the combined company for its first day of operations.
Several experienced Kimberly-Clark executives will lead the Kenvue integration.
Jeff Melucci, chief strategy, business development and administrative officer, will take responsibility for the integration plans and related programmes.
Nelson Urdaneta, Kimberly-Clark’s chief financial officer, will oversee the company’s plans to deliver expected collaboration from the transaction.
Kimberly-Clark has also announced leadership changes for the combined company’s business segments after the acquisition closes.
Carlos De Jesus, currently Kenvue’s group president for North America, will lead the North America segment.
John Carmichael, who currently heads Kimberly-Clark’s North American business, will leave the company shortly after the transaction closes.
De Jesus was previously named the future chief growth officer of the combined company. Kimberly-Clark now expects to appoint someone else to that role soon.
During the transition, De Jesus will continue to oversee the Global Growth Organization. He will work closely with Jonathan Halvorson, who is expected to become the combined company’s chief marketing officer.
Leonardo “Leo” Curado, currently Kenvue’s group president for Latin America, will lead the Europe, Middle East and Africa segment from 1 January 2027.
Carlton Lawson, Kenvue’s current group president for EMEA, will step down at the end of 2026. The change is part of a planned transition, after which Lawson will return to the UK full-time.
Curado and Lawson will work together during the fourth quarter to support a smooth transfer of responsibilities.
Curado had previously been selected as the future general manager for Latin America within the combined company.
Anindya Dasgupta, who will become president of Enterprise Growth Markets, will take direct responsibility for the combined company’s Latin American operations.
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