lululemon founder Chip Wilson has voiced his displeasure after the B.C.-based athletic apparel company announced the departure of its CEO.
Calvin McDonald, who became the head of lululemon in 2018, shared the news on Thursday, Dec. 11, that he would step down from the role at the end of January.
Wilson stated on Friday morning that “lululemon needs revitalization and an infusion of new skills to get back to being a product-first company that creates real, long-term shareholder value.”
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“After overseeing years of poor decisions erode the brand and destroy shareholder value, it is clear to me that only under my increasing pressure has the lululemon Board of Directors finally started to listen,” said Wilson in a release.
“As one of the largest active shareholders of lululemon, I am deeply concerned about what appears to be a tremendous failure by the Board to competently plan for the future and manage an effective succession process. This latest failure in my opinion only amplifies the urgency the Company faces and the obvious need for the CEO search to be led by new, independent directors with real experience.”
McDonald was appointed CEO of lululemon in July 2018, five months after Laurent Potdevin abruptly resigned from the role over “poor conduct.”
Calvin McDonald/University of Toronto
“This decision was something that I, along with the Board, have been discussing and carefully considered,” McDonald posted on LinkedIn. “As we near the end of our five-year strategy, and with our strong senior leadership team in place, we all agree that now is the time for a change.
“I am incredibly proud of everything that our teams have accomplished since I joined the company in 2018. We have quadrupled our international business and tripled our total revenue to more than $10 billion, while increasing our profitability.”
lululemon revealed that McDonald will serve as a senior advisor until March 31, 2026, and that its board has begun its search for the next CEO.
However, Wilson’s statement appears to show that he is not a fan of the outgoing CEO’s tenure at the top of the company.
Though no longer involved in the company’s operations, Wilson is one of lululemon’s largest shareholders.
Clem Louineau/ Daily Hive
“The Board’s praise for Calvin McDonald, a CEO who has overseen massive value destruction over the past two years, with a 62.8 per cent drop in LULU’s share price, shows blatant disregard for its shareholders,” the B.C. multi-billionaire added.
“In my view, the Board has failed to properly hold management accountable to deliver product innovation and instead has led with complacency.”
There have been many transitions for lululemon in 2025, including its cutting of 150 corporate jobs as part of organizational restructuring, and taking over nearly 300,000 sq. ft. of office space in downtown Vancouver.
The company also recently showed off the Team Canada 2026 Olympic gear that athletes will wear during various Olympic stages. This includes special kits for the opening and closing ceremony, podium looks, as well as outfits for athletes to wear during media availabilities.
lululemon
Chip Wilson’s Westbeach store is also back in Vancouver, rousing nostalgia.
The Kitsilano store, located at 2138 W. 4th Ave., opened this past weekend with a big launch party.
Westbeach was founded by Wilson, who went on to create the iconic lululemon brand. We wondered what Wilson’s involvement was in the relaunch. Braden Parker, who is leading the brand’s resurgence, referred to him as an incredible mentor and supporter, but said that a small team was handling the day-to-day rebuild.