VANCOUVER – Lululemon Athletica Inc. is appointing a former member of its executive team to its board to appease the retailer’s founder.
The Vancouver-based apparel company says Tara Poseley, who served as the company’s chief product officer from 2013 to 2015, joined its board effective Monday.
Poseley has more than 30 years of experience across specialty retail, apparel and beauty, the company said, having most recently served as chief executive of Paula’s Choice Skincare from 2016 to 2023.
Before her first stint with Lululemon, she was senior vice-president and president of Kmart Apparel from 2010 to 2013. She also spent nearly 15 years at Gap Inc. where she held senior roles across product and marketing.
“I am honoured to join Lululemon’s board at this pivotal time for the company,” said Poseley in a news release.
“I have a deep appreciation for Lululemon’s culture of innovation and commitment to creating exceptional products and guest experiences. I look forward to working with my fellow directors to support the Lululemon leadership team as it builds on the company’s strong foundation and advances its strategic priorities.”
Lululemon promised in May to appoint a director with product and brand expertise in apparel by Oct. 1 as part of a deal to end a public spat with founder Chip Wilson.
To get Wilson to stop publicly disparaging the company for about 18 months, Lululemon also agreed to add former ESPN chief marketing officer Laura Gentile and ex-On chief executive Marc Maurer to its board.
Wilson spent the end of last year and the beginning of this year at odds with Lululemon, which he accused of failing to keep up with trendy competitors.
Since the company and Wilson reached an agreement, former Nike executive Heidi O’Neill has taken Lululemon’s helm in September and shook up its leadership ranks in October. Poseley’s appointment brings the Lululemon board to 13 directors, 12 of whom are independent, the company said.
“Tara is a proven leader whose experience will further strengthen the board’s expertise across product innovation, brand strategy, operational excellence, and consumer-focused growth,” said O’Neill in a news release.
“Her insights and guidance will be invaluable as we put product, design, and innovation at the centre of how we operate to deliver on the company’s next chapter of success.”
Wilson said in a statement that Poseley “brings deep product expertise and understands what makes Lululemon special.”
“Her appointment is another positive step toward strengthening the company’s product-first vision and creating long-term value for shareholders,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2026.
