Kimberly-Clark appoints John Carmichael as new North America President

Kimberly-Clark has named John Carmichael as the new President for North America, strengthening its leadership with a seasoned executive known for driving transformation and long-term growth. His appointment becomes effective on September 15th, succeeding Kurt Laufer, who will return to his role as President of U.S. Consumer Sales.

Carmichael will oversee Kimberly-Clark’s personal care, family care, and professional business units across the U.S. and Canada, reporting to Russ Torres, President and Chief Operating Officer.

Before joining Kimberly-Clark, Carmichael built a 30-year career at Nestlé, most recently as President and CEO of Nestlé Canada, where he managed a diverse portfolio that spanned ice cream, coffee, water, confectionery, nutrition, and pet care. His leadership was marked by consistent performance, operational excellence, and a focus on purpose-driven innovation.

In the U.S., Carmichael led key divisions within Nestlé USA, including Foods, Beverages, and Sales and Customer Development, playing a central role in brand repositioning, M&A strategies, and the scaling of new platforms.

According to Torres, Carmichael’s track record aligns with Kimberly-Clark’s priorities: “He brings a strong track record of accelerating growth, transforming businesses and cultivating high-performance cultures. We are pleased to welcome him to Kimberly-Clark as we continue executing our Powering Care strategy”.

Carmichael holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, both from UCLA. Commenting on his new role, he stated: “I’m honored to join Kimberly-Clark and lead its North America business at such a pivotal moment. I’m excited to work with the team to build on that legacy, grow its iconic brands, and continue delivering meaningful impact for the people we serve”.