In a significant strategic move within the competitive athleisure market, Lululemon announced Wednesday the appointment of Maggie Gauger, former CEO of Athleta, as its new President and Chief Product Officer. This newly created role is effective later this month and marks a notable executive reshuffle for the yoga-inspired apparel giant.
Gauger's move to Lululemon follows a brief tenure at Athleta, where she had joined just last year from Nike. Her arrival at Lululemon is part of a broader executive restructuring under the leadership of CEO Heidi O'Neill, who herself took the helm only a month prior.
Shoppers enter a Lululemon store in Walnut Creek, California, July 15, 2026.
David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Accompanying Gauger's appointment, Lululemon also named Joseph Godsey as its Chief Operating Officer. However, the changes extend beyond new hires, as the company confirmed the departures of Nikki Neuburger, formerly Chief Brand and Product Activation Officer, and Ted Dagnese, Chief Supply Chain Officer, both set to leave in November to 'pursue other opportunities.'
Lululemon CEO Heidi O'Neill articulated the vision behind these organizational shifts: "We are establishing a deeply experienced leadership team that will work in a more coordinated manner, aligned around the strategy and execution that delivers the most impact for our guests, our communities, and our business. That starts with putting product, design, and innovation at the center of how we operate, with the focus and accountability to create a stronger pipeline of differentiated product to raise the bar for our guests across every touchpoint, in stores and online."
Meanwhile, Athleta's parent company, Gap, confirmed Gauger's departure, announcing that Erika Everett, the brand's current chief marketing officer, will step into the interim CEO role. Gap stated that this transition would "accelerate that work, strengthen our connection with customers, and unlock Athleta's full potential," indicating a strategic repositioning for the brand.
Lululemon is also actively searching to fill other crucial leadership positions, including a Chief Brand Officer, a Chief Communications Officer, and a Chief Technology Officer. These significant executive changes follow a period where Lululemon faced more than a year of disappointing sales performance and a proxy battle, drawing criticism from its founder, Chip Wilson.
