Brand enters new growth phase following strategic retail expansion and fragrance category boom
Kyle Leahy, Chief Executive Officer of the beloved beauty brand Glossier, is set to depart her role by the end of 2025. Her exit marks a pivotal moment for the company, which has seen significant transformation and growth under her leadership, including a strategic expansion into major retail partnerships and the bolstering of its burgeoning fragrance category.
Leahy, who joined Glossier in 2021 and was promoted to CEO the following year, was brought in to stabilize the direct-to-consumer pioneer after a period of stalled growth and internal restructuring. In her tenure as CEO, Leahy saw Glossier move beyond its direct-to-consumer origins to embrace a broader retail strategy, most notably with its launch into Sephora in February 2023. This move significantly expanded the brand’s reach across North America and into new international markets, including the UK, the Middle East, Mexico, and recently, France.
Glossier also strategically emphasized its fragrance offerings. The category has grown to become the brand’s largest, exceeding $100 million in sales, with recent introductions of body care and mist lines. In a company-wide announcement, Leahy stated that Glossier is “larger and more profitable than ever before,” affirming that “the Board and I believe this is the right moment to bring in the next CEO to lead a new phase of growth.”
Founder Emily Weiss expressed gratitude for Leahy’s stewardship, acknowledging her critical role in evolving the business model for scaling the brand. Leahy will maintain her position on Glossier’s board of directors through 2026, working alongside Weiss to identify and transition to the next leader.
This leadership transition signals Glossier’s continued focus on strategic evolution and sustained growth within the competitive beauty landscape. The brand, founded in 2014, is poised to build upon the foundation laid by Leahy as it seeks new avenues for expansion and innovation.
