Kimberly-Clark Announces Executive Transitions

Kimberly-Clark announced planned executive transitions and updates to the future leadership team for the company upon completion of its pending acquisition of Kenvue Inc., which is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Russ Torres, president and chief operating officer of Kimberly-Clark, and head of the Integration Management Office (IMO), will leave the company to assume an external CEO role. He will remain with the company until November to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.

“Since joining Kimberly-Clark in 2020, Russ has made a significant impact on our people, business and brands,” says 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.”

Kimberly-Clark’s integration of Kenvue will be guided by deeply experienced leaders including Jeff Melucci, chief strategy, business development and administrative officer, who will assume oversight of the integration plans and programs. Nelson Urdaneta, chief financial officer, will oversee Kimberly-Clark’s synergy delivery plans.  

Kimberly-Clark also announced the following segment leadership changes for the combined company following close:

• Carlos De Jesus, current group president, North America at Kenvue, will lead the North America segment. John Carmichael, current president of Kimberly-Clark’s North America business, will leave Kimberly-Clark shortly after close. De Jesus was previously announced as the future chief growth officer of the combined company, and Kimberly-Clark anticipates filling that role in the near future. De Jesus will continue to oversee the Global Growth Organization during this transition, working closely with future chief marketing officer, Jonathan Halvorson.
  
• Leonardo (Leo) Curado, current group president, Latin America at Kenvue, will lead the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) segment effective January 1, 2027. Carlton Lawson, current 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 U.K. Curado and Lawson will work closely together throughout the fourth quarter to execute a smooth 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 America markets.

Hsu continues, “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 concludes, “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.”

Kimberly-Clark’s acquisition of Kenvue remains on track to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other remaining customary closing conditions.