Ulta Beauty Taps Finance Veteran Christopher DelOrefice as New CFO

Ulta Beauty, a leading beauty retail chain, officially announced the appointment of Christopher DelOrefice as its new Chief Financial Officer, with his tenure commencing on December 5. This strategic leadership change sees DelOrefice stepping into a pivotal role, succeeding Chris Lialios, who had been serving diligently as the interim chief financial officer until a permanent replacement was identified.

DelOrefice brings a wealth of experience to Ulta Beauty, most recently serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Becton Dickinson & Company, a position he held since September 2021. His expertise spans a broad range of financial leadership functions, cultivated over a distinguished career in major global corporations.

Prior to his impactful role at Becton Dickinson, DelOrefice dedicated over two decades to Johnson & Johnson, where he honed his financial acumen through various leadership positions of increasing responsibility. These included significant roles such as Vice President, Investor Relations, Vice President Finance and CFO for North America Hospital Medical Devices, and Vice President Finance and CFO for North America Consumer. Earlier in his career, he also held critical leadership positions in accounting, financial reporting, global audit, and supply chain finance at esteemed companies like Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, AET Films, Inc., and Ametek, Inc., underscoring his comprehensive background in corporate finance.

Kecia Steelman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ulta Beauty, who herself assumed the top leadership role in January, expressed immense enthusiasm regarding DelOrefice's appointment. "We are thrilled to welcome Chris to the Ulta Beauty family," Steelman stated. She highlighted DelOrefice's "deep financial expertise and a proven track record of delivering leading financial performance and building high performing, engaged teams across global organizations." Steelman further emphasized that DelOrefice's demonstrated experience in leading core finance functions, global operations, strategy, corporate development, and enterprise transformation for public companies makes him an ideal partner. His leadership is expected to significantly contribute as Ulta Beauty continues to execute its "Ulta Beauty Unleashed" strategy, aiming to deliver long-term value for all stakeholders.

DelOrefice's arrival is part of a broader series of significant leadership appointments at Ulta Beauty over the past year. The company has been strategically bolstering its executive team, having previously recruited a new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), a new Chief Merchandising and Digital Officer, in addition to Steelman taking the helm as CEO. These leadership enhancements align with the company's continuous efforts to innovate and expand. Demonstrating this commitment, earlier this month, Ulta Beauty also unveiled a new dedicated marketplace for beauty and wellness, integrated seamlessly onto its website and app, further enhancing its digital footprint and customer offerings.