Jessica Alba’s Honest Company poaches former Amazon exec as new CEO

Jessica Alba’s beauty brand, The Honest Company, has appointed former Amazon and General Mills executive Carla Vernón as its new CEO.

Vernón will support the business’ category growth and drive profitability when she starts on 9 January 2023.

The move is part of a strategic leadership succession plan, as current CEO Nick Vlahos will step down from day-to-day operations after a near six-year tenure.

He will remain on the board of directors, however.

“I am thrilled Carla is joining The Honest Company as our next CEO,” said Alba, who serves as the brand’s Chief Creative Officer.

“She is a strategic, visionary leader who will continue to build Honest as the legacy brand for tomorrow’s generation.

"What makes Carla unique is her innate ability to drive product innovation and go-to-market strategies that captivate consumers’ imagination, strengthen brand loyalty, and significantly impact the bottom line.”

Vernón's previous role was with amazon.com as Vice President of Consumables Categories. where she led the household products, food, health and wellness and beauty categories.

Honest Company said she was instrumental in invigorating the e-commerce goliath’s beauty experience, including increasing the portfolio of emerging and prestige beauty brands.

Prior to Amazon, Vernón spent more than two decades at General Mills in various P&L leadership roles across the company’s portfolio.

“As a leader of the clean lifestyle movement, The Honest Company is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of this era and I am thrilled to join Jessica and the leadership team with a fresh perspective as we enter a new chapter of innovation and growth,” added Vernón.

“As I take my seat at the table as a woman, a mom and one of the only Afro-Latina CEOs of a US public company, there are so many people and experiences that come with me.

“These are perspectives that can inspire our future growth and vision.”