O’Neill will be based in Vancouver, Canada and will also join the retailer’s board of directors.
Meanwhile, Meghan Frank and André Maestrini will continue to lead the company as interim co-CEOs until O’Neill takes up the role.
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O’Neill said: “lululemon is an iconic brand with something rare: genuine guest love, a product ethos rooted in innovation, and a global platform still in the early stages of its potential. As I step into the CEO role in September, my job will be to build on that foundation – to accelerate product breakthroughs, deepen the brand’s cultural relevance, and unlock growth in markets around the world. I am humbled by the opportunity and energised by what the team is already building. I look forward to joining the company and helping to define and deliver the organisation’s next chapter of success.”
O’Neill has more than three decades of experience across performance apparel, footwear and sport, including more than 25 years at Nike.
Most recently, she served as president of consumer, product & brand, for the sports brand, where she oversaw its global consumer and product operations and helped grow the company from a $9+ billion business to a $45+ billion global leader.
Before this, she served as president, consumer & marketplace, leading operations across more than 170 countries, including the global commercial organisation, with P&L responsibility.
In addition to Nike, O’Neill served as director of marketing for the Dockers brand at Levi Strauss & Co.
Lululemon Athletica board of directors executive chair Marti Morfitt said: “Heidi is an inspiring leader and proven, consumer-driven brand strategist, with a rare ability to both imagine a new future for a brand and to create the structure and processes to deliver on that vision.
“The Board conducted an extensive search to identify the right next leader to propel lululemon forward. We selected Heidi because of the breadth of her experience, her demonstrated success delivering breakthrough ideas and initiatives at scale, and her ability to be a knowledgeable change and growth agent. We are excited to have Heidi join lululemon and bring her strategic and creative vision to the company.”
The appointment of a new CEO comes amid pressure from Lululemon Athletica’s founder and major shareholder, Chip Wilson, to implement significant changes in the company, citing a “disconnect” between the company’s creative direction and the board’s oversight.
Shares of Lululemon Athletica fell 4% in premarket trade following the appointment, according to a report in Reuters.
