Trending Now - Lululemon Criticizes Founder’s Leadership Amid Boardroom Battle

WHO:

Inc - Chip Wilson, founder of Lululemon and second largest shareholder.

CNN - Calvin McDonald, former CEO of Lululemon; Heidi O’Neill, new CEO of Lululemon, former Nike executive.

WHAT:

Inc - Chip Wilson is pushing a slate of board candidates that Lululemon deemed unqualified.

CNN - Lululemon publicly rejected Wilson’s nominations for the company’s board, stating that voting for them would “endorse his misguided perspectives.”

CNN - Lululemon’s stock has lost 40% of its value this year.

CNN - Lululemon is struggling with tariffs, consumer pullback from discretionary spending, and competition from brands like Vuori and Alo.

WHERE:

CNN - Lululemon's headquarters, New York.

WHEN:

CNN - Lululemon’s next shareholders meeting is scheduled for June.

CNN - Wilson launched his latest campaign against the company’s management in December of the previous year.

CNN - Heidi O’Neill is set to start as CEO in September.

WHY:

CNN - Lululemon accused Wilson of attempting to “regain increased influence” over the brand he left more than a decade ago.

CNN - Wilson stated that the company needs “visionary creative leadership to thrive” and criticized the current board for lacking these skills.

CNN - Wilson has accused Lululemon of losing its “cool” factor and has routinely attacked its decisions.

HOW:

CNN - Lululemon stated that it interviewed Wilson’s picks and determined that their appointment would not be beneficial to shareholders and would remove critical skills from the board.

(UPDATED May 18, 2026 17:43 UTC)

Chip Wilson, the founder of Lululemon and its second largest shareholder, is pushing for a slate of board candidates that the company has deemed unqualified, leading Lululemon to publicly reject his nominations. The company, which has seen its stock drop by 40% this year, cited concerns over tariffs, a pullback in consumer spending, and competition as challenges it faces, while accusing Wilson of trying to regain influence over the brand he left over a decade ago. Lululemon's next shareholders meeting is set for June, and the company has stated that it will not endorse Wilson's candidates, arguing that their appointment would detract from the board's critical skills.