Ulta Beauty Furthers Its Commitment To DEI Efforts By Hiring New VP

Ulta Beauty continues to focus its efforts on diversity, equity, and inclusion by naming Kim Adams as its first-ever vice president of DEI and talent acquisition. She will focus on three areas: leading the organization’s DEI strategies spanning external and internal efforts, acting as a trusted DEI advisor/partner/driver of initiatives, and managing the cross-functional DEI governance model.

Shaping influential change to further DEI efforts

In a recent interview, Adams talked about her new role and how she plans to positively impact DEI efforts at Ulta BeautyULTA
and help reshape the industry. As part of the role, Adams is responsible for talent acquisition and will ensure every aspect of the recruitment process is integrated with DEI efforts to drive an inclusive culture for candidates.

“While diversity has made great strides, much more can be done to create meaningful impact. This should be an always-on effort, and we must continue to listen and learn to enact change,” said Adams, who feels that all people should see themselves represented. An example that Adams described is how Ulta Beauty has trained all beauty salon experts to work with various hair textures, allowing them to cater to all guests.

“It was really critical for me to join a company that shares my values,” said Adams. Leading authentically for guests and associates by shaping meaningful change to further DEI efforts makes her very excited. “As a Black woman and a person who has been othered by society, this responsibility is not lost upon me. It’s an honor to serve in this role and help the company to deliver on its bold commitments.”

Adams’s leadership style fits the culture

When discussing her leadership style, Adams was passionate about fostering an inclusive environment and being aware of those not represented at the table. “Carving out space at the table for the underrepresented people to join in on the conversation is a goal of mine.” People are at the heart of everything she does, and Adams leads through openness and empathy.

“As the company’s first vice president of DEI and talent acquisition, I feel a great responsibility and honor to carry forward our mission and will push to ensure the impact we make resonates for a long time,” promises Adams.

Store teams, merchandising, and marketing work together

Adams explained, when asked about the partnership with marketing, merchandising, and brand partners, how Ulta Beauty is a cross-functional powerhouse, and that’s why its DEI commitments and the work done in this space have resonated powerfully with internal and external audiences alike. “The work of diversity, equity, and inclusion must live in how we show up, what we say and how our guests and associates experience the brand. None of that happens without marketing and merchandising.”

Ulta Beauty is community-minded

Unlike many industries, retail directly influences communities and can positively affect and empower them. With more than 1,300 stores across the U.S., the company is uniquely positioned to have a vast impact. The Inclusion in Action training ensures Ulta Beauty associates understand the role they play in the community and the influence this has on the customer experience. Guests should feel welcomed and included in the stores and have the ability to express themselves through the use of products and services offered across all stores. “We aspire to be the most inclusive retail destination. While there’s always more work to be done and new opportunities to explore, we believe our presence can uplift, empower, and support the communities we serve,” said Adams.

DEI is at the forefront of Ulta Beauty’s mission

Ulta Beauty’s DEI initiatives include its MUSE Accelerator program, which helps BIPOC-owned brands succeed in the beauty industry. In 2022, Ulta Beauty committed $50 million towards DEI initiatives, including a substantial investment in amplifying underrepresented voices. The company was recently added to the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, which tracks the financial performance of public companies committed to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation, and transparency.

Adams says her goal is to institutionalize inclusive leadership, break down barriers that stifle innovation born from a diversity of thought, amplify diverse lived experiences, and inspire future generations to naturally see the beauty inherent in themselves and everyone around them. She will report directly to Ulta Beauty’s chief human resource officer, Anita Ryan.