Kecia Steelman

Kecia Steelman was promoted from COO to the CEO seat in January 2025, taking over the largest U.S. beauty retailer after more than a decade at the company. She also holds the president title. Her first year in the corner office prioritized a turnaround strategy, aimed at reestablishing Ulta Beauty in  the zeitgeist and recapturing market share. It fared well: fiscal 2025 net sales rose 9.7% to $12.4 billion and the company acquired Space NK, while also expanding internationally to Mexico and the Middle East, via its first store in Kuwait. Additionally, Steelman wound down Ulta Beauty’s five-year partnership with Target to focus on profitability and the core business. It will end officially in August.