Ulta Beauty has appointed Kelly Garcia as its Chief Technology Officer, effective August 31, 2026, bringing more than 25 years of technology leadership experience to the role. Garcia, who has served on the beauty retailer’s board of directors since 2022, will resign from the board upon beginning his new position, according to the company’s announcement on July 14.
Garcia spent 14 years at Domino’s Pizza, where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer since July 2012. During his tenure, he led the company’s technology vision and developed strategic technology initiatives that transformed the pizza chain’s digital operations, including pioneering mobile ordering and GPS-enabled delivery features.
Before joining Domino’s, Garcia held the position of Vice President of Business Intelligence and North American Operations at R.L. Polk & Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering from The Ohio State University.
Kecia Steelman, president and chief executive officer of Ulta Beauty, highlighted Garcia’s value to the organization. “Kelly has been an impactful member of our Board of Directors, providing valuable business insights and technology expertise, including perspectives on emerging technologies such as AI, and we are excited to enhance our executive team with his leadership as our new CTO,” Steelman said in a statement. “With more than 25 years of leadership and broad experience across global e-commerce, customer loyalty, digital innovation, and cybersecurity, Kelly will be a great addition to our team as we continue to advance our technology capabilities and execute our Ulta Beauty Unleashed strategy to drive market share growth and deliver long-term value for all our stakeholders.”
Garcia’s appointment aligns with Ulta Beauty’s strategic priorities under its “Unleashed” initiative, a multi-year growth plan announced in March 2025. The strategy focuses on strengthening the company’s technology infrastructure to support digital transformation, personalization, and omnichannel customer experiences. Ulta Beauty has been investing heavily in AI and digital innovation, including building a portfolio of AI startup investments and partnering with technology providers to enhance customer experiences across its stores, website, and mobile app.
The company operates more than 1,500 stores across the United States and has been expanding internationally through its subsidiary Space NK in the UK and Ireland, a joint venture in Mexico, and a franchise in the Middle East. Garcia’s expertise in global e-commerce and digital innovation is expected to support these expansion efforts and the company’s broader technology modernization goals.
Sources
- Ulta Beauty — Official press release announcing Garcia’s appointment as Chief Technology Officer, effective August 31, 2026
- Mass Market Retailers — Confirmation of Garcia’s board membership since 2022 and resignation upon taking the CTO role
- Retail Tech Innovation Hub — Background on Garcia’s 14-year tenure at Domino’s Pizza as EVP and CTO
- Global Cosmetics News — Details on Garcia’s prior role at R.L. Polk & Company and educational background
- GCI Magazine — Information on Ulta Beauty Unleashed strategy and growth guidance for fiscal 2026
- Retail Brew — Context on Ulta Beauty’s Unleashed turnaround plan and strategic focus areas
