Sally Beauty Names New President and CEO

Sally Beauty is about to have a major leadership change.
Sally Beauty is about to have a major leadership change.

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. has named Denise Paulonis as president and CEO, effective October 1, 2021. Paulonis succeeds Chris Brickman who will be stepping down. Brickman will serve as president and CEO of the company and as a member of the board until September 30, 2021; thereafter, he will serve in a consulting capacity through March 31, 2022.

Paulonis has been a member of the company’s board of directors since 2018 and is the current chair of the audit committee. She previously served as CFO of Sprouts Farmers Market and held various executive roles at The Michaels Companies.

Previously: Sally Beauty Announces Brand Additions

“As the company emerges from the hard work of its transformation, both the board and Chris agree that now is the right time for a change in leadership," said Robert McMaster, chair of the Sally Beauty Holdings board of directors. "During Chris’s tenure, the company ushered in many new initiatives, including strengthening Sally Beauty Holdings’ standing as the largest omni-channel hair color retailer, introducing modernized loyalty programs, investing significantly in technology and improving our digital capabilities, and leading the company through the pandemic. On behalf of the entire board, I want to thank Chris for his service and many contributions to Sally Beauty Holdings over the past seven years and, in particular, for the talented team he has put in place. We wish him well in the next chapter of his career.”

McMaster continued, “The board has taken a thoughtful approach to succession planning to ensure that Sally Beauty Holdings is best positioned to continue its momentum, and we unanimously believe Denise is the right leader to drive the next stage of the company’s growth. With her experience and proven commitment to the company, we believe Denise will provide fresh perspectives and valuable insights in order to take our brands and our company into the future. The Board and I look forward to working with Denise in her new role as we create significant value for our customers, shareholders and employees.”

“I am immensely proud of all that our team has accomplished, and I believe the best is yet to come for Sally Beauty Holdings," said Brickman. "I congratulate Denise and look forward to working with her to ensure a seamless transition. I am confident that her leadership will inspire the team and drive the company to future growth and success.”

“I am both honored and excited to have been appointed as Sally Beauty Holdings’ next chief executive officer,” said Paulonis. “As a current board member, I know firsthand what a driven team this is, and I could not be more excited to hit the ground running. We have an amazing opportunity to propel the company into its next chapter, solidifying our place as a leading beauty provider and moving forward as a dynamic, modern, inclusive and profitable business. I look forward to working with Sally Beauty Holdings’ strong management team and talented employees as we execute on our strategic priorities.”

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