Kimberly-Clark announces leadership changes ahead of Kenvue deal close

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NASDAQ: KMB) announced a series of executive transitions tied to its pending acquisition of Kenvue Inc. (NYSE: KVUE), which the company expects to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Russ Torres, President and Chief Operating Officer and head of the Integration Management Office, will leave Kimberly-Clark to take an external CEO role. He will remain with the company through November to assist with the transition. Jeff Melucci, Chief Strategy, Business Development and Administrative Officer, will assume oversight of integration plans, while Chief Financial Officer Nelson Urdaneta will oversee synergy delivery.

Kimberly-Clark also announced segment leadership changes for the combined company following the deal's close. Carlos De Jesus, currently Group President of North America at Kenvue, will lead the North America segment. John Carmichael, current President of Kimberly-Clark's North America business, will leave the company shortly after close. De Jesus will also continue overseeing the Global Growth Organization during the transition, working with future Chief Marketing Officer Jonathan Halvorson. Kimberly-Clark said it plans to fill the Chief Growth Officer role, previously assigned to De Jesus, in the near future.

Leonardo Curado, currently Group President of Latin America at Kenvue, will lead the Europe, Middle East, and Africa segment effective January 1, 2027. Carlton Lawson, current Group President of EMEA at Kenvue, will step down at year-end and return to the U.K. Curado was previously announced as the future General Manager for Latin America; that region will instead fall under Anindya Dasgupta, who will serve as President of Enterprise Growth Markets.

The Kenvue acquisition remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, according to the company's statement.

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