Hain Celestial Appoints Alison E. Lewis President and Chief Executive Officer
Rhea-AI Summary
Hain Celestial (Nasdaq: HAIN) announced that Alison E. Lewis has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 15, 2025.
Ms. Lewis has served as Interim CEO since May 2025 and will remain a member of the Board. The Board highlighted her cost-reduction moves, a turnaround agenda targeting margins and growth, and her role advancing a strategic review with Goldman Sachs. Ms. Lewis emphasized priorities to stabilize sales, improve profitability, optimize cash, and deleverage the balance sheet.
Positive
- Permanent CEO appointment effective December 15, 2025
- Ms. Lewis served as Interim CEO since May 2025
- Strategic review in progress with Goldman Sachs
Negative
- Sales stabilization remains a company priority
- Company is working to deleverage the balance sheet
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, HAIN gained 4.46%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +5.4% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -5.7% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 13 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $5M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $112M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
While HAIN was up 2.75%, key packaged food peers were negative today, including BYND (-6.84%), BRCC (-1.6%), FTLF (-0.11%), LFVN (-0.76%) and BHST (-8.62%), indicating a stock-specific response to the CEO appointment.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 12 | Marketing promotion | Neutral | +11.8% | Limited-edition Garden Veggie Snack Suit launch ahead of game days. |
| Nov 07 | Earnings results | Negative | +12.2% | Q1 2026 sales decline, margin pressure and net loss despite ongoing review. |
| Oct 17 | Earnings call notice | Neutral | -1.5% | Announcement of timing and access details for Q1 2026 call. |
| Sep 23 | Product revamp | Positive | -0.6% | Avocado-oil Veggie Straws and Puffs, new flavors and packaging rollout. |
| Sep 15 | Earnings results | Negative | -24.6% | Double‑digit sales declines, large impairment charges and higher leverage. |
Reactions to news have been mixed: marketing and earnings updates have produced strong moves in both directions, with positive product news sometimes met by mild selling.
Over the last few months, Hain Celestial has reported weak financial trends alongside active brand and capital-markets moves. Fiscal Q4 and full-year 2025 results showed net sales down 10% to $1.56 billion and a Q4 net loss of $273 million, including $252 million of impairments. Fiscal Q1 2026 net sales were $368 million, down 7% year over year, with adjusted EBITDA of $20 million and net secured leverage of 4.8x. At the same time, Garden Veggie Snacks launched revamped products and a limited-edition Snack Suit. Today’s confirmation of Alison Lewis as CEO follows her interim role during this turnaround and ongoing strategic review with Goldman Sachs.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement confirms Alison Lewis as permanent CEO after serving in the interim role since May 2025. It comes against a backdrop of declining sales, margin pressure, and a sizable $273 million Q4 2025 net loss driven by impairments. Management has emphasized stabilizing sales, improving profitability, optimizing cash, and deleveraging. Investors may watch progress on the strategic review with Goldman Sachs, debt metrics such as net secured leverage at 4.8x, and subsequent earnings to gauge turnaround traction.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
HOBOKEN, N.J., Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (“Hain Celestial” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: HAIN), today announced that Alison E. Lewis has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Ms. Lewis had been serving as Hain Celestial’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer since May 2025. Ms. Lewis will also continue in her role as a member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”).
Dawn Zier, Chair of the Board, said, “The Board has had the opportunity over the past few months to observe Alison in action. We are pleased with the bold moves she has already taken to reduce costs, the turnaround agenda she has put in place designed to drive margins and growth, and her focus on progressing the strategic review with Goldman Sachs. With Alison’s deep CPG expertise and track record of strong performance, we believe she is best equipped to create shareholder value and lead Hain as our next CEO.”
Alison Lewis said, “I am honored to lead Hain Celestial and look forward to delivering our strategy to reposition the company for a stronger future. Over the last several months, the company has been intensely focused on our initiatives to stabilize sales, improve profitability, optimize cash, and deleverage our balance sheet. I am proud of the work we are doing and confident in our ability to drive future value for all stakeholders.”
About Alison E. Lewis
Alison E. Lewis has been a member of the Hain Celestial Board of Directors since September 2024, and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer since May 2025. She is a 35-year veteran of the consumer-packaged goods industry. Ms. Lewis served as the Chief Growth Officer of Kimberly-Clark Corporation, a global consumer goods company, from 2019 to August 2024. As Chief Growth Officer, she led the growth strategy for the company’s four categories and was responsible for driving superior in-market execution, unlocking disciplined and profitable revenue growth, and maximizing innovation for value and scale. Prior to Kimberly-Clark, Ms. Lewis served as Chief Marketing Officer at Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies from 2013 to 2019. Prior to her role at Johnson & Johnson, Ms. Lewis served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, North America at The Coca-Cola Company. Ms. Lewis began her career at Kraft General Foods. She held leadership roles both domestically and internationally at Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies and the Coca-Cola Company. Her experience in digital-first marketing and sales models placed e-commerce at the forefront of commercial growth and transformation.
About The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.
Hain Celestial is a leading health and wellness company whose purpose is to inspire healthier living for people, communities and the planet through better-for-you brands. For more than 30 years, Hain Celestial has intentionally focused on delivering nutrition and well-being that positively impacts today and tomorrow. Headquartered in Hoboken, N.J., Hain Celestial's products across snacks, baby/kids, beverages and meal preparation are marketed and sold in over 70 countries around the world. Our leading brands include Garden Veggie Snacks™, Terra® chips, Garden of Eatin'® snacks, Hartley’s® jelly, Earth's Best® Organic and Ella's Kitchen® baby and kids foods, Celestial Seasonings® teas, Joya® and Natumi® plant-based beverages, The Greek Gods® yogurt, Cully & Sully®, Yorkshire Provender®, New Covent Garden® and Imagine® soups, among others. For more information, visit www.hain.com and LinkedIn.
Investor Relations Contact:
Alexis Tessier
Investor.Relations@hain.com
Media Contact:
Justin Godley
Justin.Godley@hain.com
FAQ
When did Alison E. Lewis become CEO of Hain Celestial (HAIN)?
How long had Alison Lewis been serving as interim CEO before her appointment?
What strategic work is Hain Celestial pursuing under CEO Alison Lewis?
What operational priorities did Alison Lewis highlight for HAIN?
Will Alison Lewis remain on Hain Celestial's board after becoming CEO?
What did the Board cite when announcing Alison Lewis as HAIN CEO?
