Ulta Beauty is adding specialty-retail firepower to its board, appointing Brieane Olson, chief executive officer of Pacific Sunwear (PacSun), as an independent director effective August 31. Olson will fill the seat vacated by Kelly G. Garcia as he transitions to the role of Ulta Beauty’s chief technology officer.
Olson brings more than 20 years of specialty retail experience spanning strategic planning, brand building, omnichannel commerce, merchandising and organizational leadership. She has served as PacSun CEO since May 2023, president since June 2021 and chief brand officer since July 2020. Before joining PacSun in 2007, Olson held leadership positions at Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollywould and Valentino.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brie to our Board of Directors,” said Kecia Steelman, president and CEO of Ulta Beauty. “She has extensive experience leading consumer retail organizations through periods of growth and transformation, and we are confident her insights into strategy execution, talent development, and long-term value creation will be invaluable to the Board as we continue to advance our Ulta Beauty Unleashed strategy.”
Olson also serves on PacSun’s board and holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of California, Berkeley, a master’s degree in fashion from Istituto Marangoni in Italy, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Following Olson’s appointment, Ulta Beauty’s board will consist of 10 directors. The move comes as the beauty retailer continues to emphasize growth, transformation and omnichannel expansion under its Ulta Beauty Unleashed strategy.
