US personal care company Kimberly-Clark Corporation has promoted deputy general counsel for litigation Suzana Blades to the GC role, replacing Grant McGee who left the company back in June.
Blades’ elevation to GC comes as Kimberly-Clark completes its acquisition of US consumer health business Kenvue. She will take on her new role as GC of the combined business from 1 September, reporting to chief strategy, business development and administrative officer Jeff Melucci. She will also serve on the company’s executive leadership team.
Irving, Texas-based Kimberly-Clark owns household brand names including Kleenex, Andrex and Huggies nappies.
Mike Hsu, chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark, said: “Serving as general counsel at one of the most transformational moments in Kimberly-Clark’s history requires a rare combination of global legal expertise and leadership, a deep understanding of our business, sound judgement and grit.
“Suzana is that kind of leader. Over nearly four years at Kimberly-Clark, she has helped advance our ‘Powering Care’ strategy while earning the trust and respect of colleagues across the company. I am confident she will play a critical part in our work to build a new kind of health and wellness company focused on raising the standard of care for billions of people around the world.”
Blades has been deputy GC for litigation since joining the company in 2022, with her most recent remit also including government relations, legal operations and serving as GC for the company’s Natural Solutions business. As deputy GC for litigation, she oversaw the company’s global disputes and investigations matters, as well as advising on public policy and government affairs.
She was previously managing counsel for commercial litigation and arbitration at ConocoPhillips for more than a decade. She also spent a year as a contract lawyer at Hess Corporation, having started her career in private practice at Arnold & Porter.
Melucci said: “Suzana is a well-rounded leader with deep international experience, a relentless drive to win and a passion for developing people and building high-performing teams. Combined with her strong commitment to Kimberly-Clark’s purpose and values, she is exceptionally well positioned to lead the legal organisation through this transformational period.”
McGee, meanwhile, exited in June to become chief legal officer at US retail giant Target. He rejoined Kimberly-Clark in February 2024 as GC from American Airlines, where he was deputy GC. He replaced CLO Melucci, who at the time had transitioned to chief business and transformation officer.
McGee had previously worked at Kimberly-Clark for seven years until 2020, latterly as senior deputy GC.
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