Kimberly-Clark appoints counsel for Kenvue deal

Olivia Smith 08/17/2026

A Strategic Appointment Signals a Major Shift in Kimberly-Clark’s Future

As Kimberly-Clark gears up for a significant expansion across the consumer health and personal care landscape, the company has made a key leadership appointment designed to guide its path forward. Kimberly-Clark has named Suzana Blades as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, effective September 1, 2026, marking a pivotal moment in the organization’s transformation.

Blades is not just joining the Executive Leadership Team; she is stepping into a leadership role that will directly shape the future structure following the planned acquisition of Kenvue. This appointment signals the gravity of the strategic shift underway, ensuring that the legal and executive teams are perfectly aligned for the coming integration.

Blades brings a depth of experience that is precisely what a major corporate transition demands. She has spent nearly four years deeply integrated within Kimberly-Clark, providing her with an intimate understanding of the company’s operations and challenges. Prior to this, she served as Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, where she managed complex global litigation, government relations, legal operations, and acted as General Counsel for the company’s Natural Solutions business.

This background is a masterclass in managing enterprise risk and navigating complex regulatory environments. Her expertise in global litigation, regulatory matters, and enterprise risk management will be invaluable as the companies prepare to combine their operations.

Before her tenure at Kimberly-Clark, Blades built a distinguished career spanning nearly twelve years at ConocoPhillips, along with prior roles at Hess Corporation and Arnold & Porter. This diverse background provides a robust foundation for handling the complexities inherent in cross-divisional integration.

The appointment underscores the importance of seamless integration. By placing Blades in a senior role, Kimberly-Clark is ensuring that the legal and operational frameworks governing the transition are managed with the highest level of strategic insight and experience.

Ultimately, this move is more than a personnel change; it is a strategic investment. Suzana Blades’ expertise is set to be instrumental in steering Kimberly-Clark through its growth phase, positioning the newly combined entities for success in the dynamic consumer health market.