The Wella Company Appoints Carole Gardner Diarra as new CMO
The Wella Company is making several key leadership changes across brand and marketing.
Carole Gardner Diarra has been named the company’s new Chief Marketing Officer, as the Wella Company evolves the design of its global brand and marketing function.
The two areas are being split into distinct teams, with Global Brand focusing on building the strength of the company’s portfolio of brands, while Global Marketing will look after turning that brand strength into consumer demand.
“Our teams are building a modern marketing engine that fuels consumer and stylist desire, turns brand relevance into sustained demand and positions our brands to capture an outsized share of that growth,” says Carole.
“I can’t wait to bring this ambition to life alongside them, connecting creativity, culture, data and technology with the stylist expertise at the heart of Wella.”
Building modern marketing organisations
Carole joins the Wella Company after more than five years at UGG, where she served as the Global Vice President of Marketing.
In this role, she supported the evolution of the company from a highly seasonal footwear brand into a US$2.7bn global fashion and lifestyle business – helping drive US$1bn incremental revenue and margin expansion.
During this time, she played a key role in building much of the company’s modern marketing organisation and the operating model required to support the growth of the brand.
Before joining UGG, Carole spent close to two years as the Chief Marketing Officer of Arbonne, and 15 years at L'Oréal – holding roles across areas such as brand management, consumer insights, marketing operations and digital operations.
“After nearly 20 years in skincare and beauty, and an incredible chapter in fashion, it feels wonderful to return to a category that means so much to me,” says Carole.
“Hair is deeply emotional. Across genders, generations and cultures, it expresses who we are, how we feel and who we’re becoming, and the relationship between a stylist and their client is a powerful part of that story.
“It’s also an exciting moment for the industry, with hair emerging as a breakout growth category.”
After nearly 20 years in skincare and beauty, and an incredible chapter in fashion, it feels wonderful to return to a category that means so much to me."
Brand and marketing growth
By creating two distinct teams – global brand and global marketing – the Wella Company has said it is looking to better enable its ability to build brand awareness, create strong brand affinity and drive advocacy among consumers and professionals.
To support this growth, Yannis Rodocanachi – formerly the company’s President of Brands and Chief Marketing Officer – is transitioning into a newly created role of Chief Brand Officer.
In this role, he will be leading brand management, consumer and customer insights and creative insights across the company’s portfolio of seven strategic brands.
Victoria Spadaro Grant has also been named Chief Scientific and Product Officer, effective January 18, 2027, while Javier Huerta has been appointed Chief Supply Chain Officer, effective December 1.
“The Wella Company is entering an exciting new chapter,” says Calvin McDonald, CEO of the Wella Company.
“We have iconic brands, deep scientific expertise and exceptional relationships with professionals, and these leaders bring fresh perspectives, proven capabilities and a shared ambition to move with speed, innovate boldly and win with pros and consumers around the world.
“I’m excited about the team we are building and confident they are the right leaders as we shape the future of beauty together.”
- Carole Gardner Diarra spent more than five years as Global Vice President of Marketing at UGG.
- During her tenure at UGG, the company generated US$1bn in incremental revenue and margin expansion.
- Prior to joining UGG, Diarra accumulated nearly 20 years in beauty and skincare, including 15 years at L'Oréal and close to two years as Chief Marketing Officer at Arbonne.
- As Chief Brand Officer, Yannis Rodocanachi will cover a portfolio of seven strategic brands.
- Executive appointment start dates include 1 December for Chief Supply Chain Officer Javier Huerta and 18 January 2027 for Chief Scientific and Product Officer Victoria Spadaro Grant.
Who are the Wella Company’s key partners?
- SAP: The Wella company uses SAP Emarsys Customer Engagement and SAP Commerce Cloud for its global marketing, omnichannel communication and customer experience.
- Amazon: Amazon is a key e-commerce partner for the Wella Company, driving direct-to-consumer sales for the brand.
- Ulta Beauty: Leading beauty specialist Ulta Beauty is one of the business's primary omnichannel retail and salon account partners.
- Infosys: The Wella Company partnered with Infosys to execute a multi-phase digital transformation – moving its e-commerce platforms to a headless architecture, integrating AI recommendations and providing B2B digital tools for stylists and salon owners.
