Madison Reed Adds Two Executives to Leadership Team
The company named a new chief marketing officer and created a chief commercial officer position on October 20, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do you believe major executive changes at established brands signal a positive shift in company direction?
Madison Reed is shifting its leadership team with the appointment of two executives to its senior ranks. Michelle Peterson has been named chief marketing officer, and John Sullivan has been promoted to the newly created role of chief commercial officer.
Why it matters
As the San Francisco-based hair color brand continues to scale its operations, these executive moves signal a new push to integrate marketing, creative vision, and commercial strategy. The company will now look to these leaders to navigate the next phase of its e-commerce and retail growth.
The company added two executives to its leadership team, drawing on candidates with a combined 40 years of industry experience. It remains unknown how the newly created chief commercial officer role will alter the firm's existing e-commerce and wholesale partnerships.
The players
Michelle Peterson
The new chief marketing officer at Madison Reed who previously held the same role at Kendra Scott.
John Sullivan
The newly appointed chief commercial officer at Madison Reed and a former senior leader at Kao USA.
Madison Reed
A San Francisco-based hair color company known for its e-commerce and retail operations.
The details
Michelle Peterson joins the firm to oversee the marketing and creative divisions along with product innovation, bringing over 20 years of experience including a prior stint as chief marketing officer at Kendra Scott. John Sullivan moves into the new chief commercial officer position after spending more than two decades at Kao USA, where he held several senior leadership roles. He is now responsible for at-home profit and loss across wholesale and digital channels, as well as business development.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: Madison Reed announced the appointment of the two new executives.
Across the Bay
These appointments follow the industry trend of San Francisco-based consumer brands bolstering their C-suite as they transition into more complex retail and wholesale markets. The strategy reflects a broader push by local firms to secure leadership with deep expertise in managing dual-channel sales environments.
Consumers of the company's at-home hair color products can expect to see shifts in marketing messaging and potential changes in product offerings as the new team takes over. The impact on physical retail accessibility and online ordering will become clearer in the coming quarters.
The takeaway
The company's focus on centralizing marketing and commercial strategy marks a significant organizational shift. Local residents interested in the firm's growth should watch for updates to their wholesale product lines and future retail partnership announcements.
Further reading
Keep up with the local business landscape at San Francisco People.
Live Poll
Do you believe major executive changes at established brands signal a positive shift in company direction?
