Kimberly-Clark Corporation has announced a series of planned executive transitions and updates to the future leadership team that will oversee the company following the completion of its pending acquisition of Kenvue Inc., which remains expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Russ Torres, Kimberly-Clark’s President and Chief Operating Officer and Head of the Integration Management Office (IMO), will leave the company to assume an external CEO role. He will remain with Kimberly-Clark through November to support a smooth transition.
“Since joining Kimberly-Clark in 2020, Russ has made a significant impact on our people, business and brands,” said Mike Hsu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kimberly-Clark. “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. We are excited for Russ and wish him all the best in this new leadership chapter of his career.”
INTEGRATION LEADERSHIP
The integration of Kenvue will be led by executives with extensive experience across Kimberly-Clark and its businesses.
Jeff Melucci, Chief Strategy, Business Development and Administrative Officer, will assume responsibility for overseeing the integration plans and programs. Nelson Urdaneta, Chief Financial Officer, will be responsible for Kimberly-Clark’s synergy delivery plans.
The company also announced changes to segment leadership for the combined business following the closing of the transaction.
Carlos De Jesus, currently Group President, North America at Kenvue, will lead the North America segment. John Carmichael, currently President of Kimberly-Clark’s North America business, will leave the company shortly after the transaction closes.
De Jesus had previously been announced as the future Chief Growth Officer of the combined company. Kimberly-Clark said it expects to fill that position in the near future. During the transition, De Jesus will continue overseeing the Global Growth Organization and will work closely with future Chief Marketing Officer Jonathan Halvorson.
CHANGES ACROSS EMEA AND LATIN AMERICA
Leonardo (Leo) Curado, currently Group President, Latin America at Kenvue, will take over leadership of Kimberly-Clark’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) segment effective January 1, 2027.
Carlton Lawson, currently Group President, EMEA at Kenvue, will step down at the end of the year as part of a planned transition and return full-time to the United Kingdom. Curado and Lawson will work together throughout the fourth quarter to support the leadership transition.
Curado was previously announced as the future General Manager LATAM for the combined company. Anindya Dasgupta, who will serve as President, Enterprise Growth Markets, will assume direct oversight of the combined company’s Latin American markets.
Hsu continued, “The additional transitions we are announcing today are an outcome of continued integration planning progress and will help ensure the combined company is well positioned to capture our biggest growth opportunities. Carlos has decades of experience across consumer health categories and need states, and by all accounts, has made an immediate impact in his first year at Kenvue, setting the stage for continued growth. Leo is a proven executive with a 25-year track record in general management, sales, and marketing across a broad range of diverse markets. I look forward to working closely with them, and our entire team, as we work to unlock the full potential of our combined portfolio, iconic brands, and talented people.”
Hsu concluded, “Carlton’s passion for the brands has been infectious, and his investment in people and leaders set the stage for EMEA to go from strength to strength. We appreciate his leadership and wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
ACQUISITION REMAINS ON TRACK
Kimberly-Clark said its acquisition of Kenvue remains on track to close in the fourth quarter of 2026. Completion of the transaction is still subject to regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
The leadership changes announced ahead of the closing reflect the progress of the integration planning and are intended to establish the management structure for the combined company as it prepares for the next phase of its operations.
