Chip Wilson, the founder of Lululemon Athletica, has nominated three senior executives to stand for election to the Canadian activewear company’s board of directors, as the retailer navigates a period of leadership uncertainty.
The nominees, who will be put to shareholders at Lululemon’s 2026 annual meeting, are Marc Maurer, former co-chief executive of On Holding; Laura Gentile, former chief marketing officer of ESPN; and Eric Hirshberg, former chief executive of video game publisher Activision.
Wilson has also submitted a non-binding shareholder proposal seeking to declassify the board, a move that would require all directors to stand for election annually rather than on a staggered basis.
The developments come weeks after Lululemon confirmed that its chief executive, Calvin McDonald, will step down on 31st January 2026. His planned departure has added to uncertainty around the company’s leadership at a time when Lululemon has been grappling with a period of underperformance.
Wilson has been among the most vocal critics of the current leadership structure, previously arguing that the brand requires new capabilities and creative direction to restore momentum. He has now said the proposed board nominees would bring the skills needed to redefine the company’s strategic direction and restore stakeholder confidence.
Following the announcement of McDonald’s departure, Reuters reported that Elliott Investment Management had acquired a stake in Lululemon valued at more than US $ 1 billion. The activist investor is reported to be exploring options related to the chief executive role, including the possible involvement of former Ralph Lauren executive Jane Nielsen.
Elliott is now understood to be among Lululemon’s largest shareholders, alongside Wilson. Both investors have indicated their intention to support efforts to revive the retailer, particularly as conditions in the US consumer market become more challenging.
In a statement accompanying the nominations, Wilson said Lululemon required visionary and creative leadership to succeed, adding that the existing board lacked sufficient product and brand-focused experience. He also criticised the handling of the chief executive transition, describing it as a failure stemming from the absence of a clear succession plan. He said shareholders lacked confidence in the board’s ability to appoint and support the next chief executive without greater input from directors with stronger product and brand expertise.
