Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE: HLF), a premier health and wellness company, today announced the upcoming retirement of Chief Financial Officer John DeSimone. His retirement will take effect on December 31, 2026. As part of a planned leadership transition, Scott Schaefer will succeed him as the company’s next CFO starting January 1, 2027. Schaefer currently serves as Senior Vice President of Finance and Transformation.
DeSimone’s retirement follows almost 20 years of leadership at Herbalife. He played a central role in the company’s growth while serving in several key positions, including President, CFO, and Chief Strategic Officer.
Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board Michael O. Johnson praised DeSimone’s contributions. “For nearly 20 years, John has been a trusted advisor, partner and mentor across the organization, generously sharing his expertise and enabling Herbalife to grow and scale. John’s contributions and impact have been extensive – he leaves a lasting impact on the organization, and we thank him for his service and contributions.”
Chief Executive Officer Stephan Gratziani also highlighted DeSimone’s role. “I am grateful to John for both his partnership and his leadership – he has played an instrumental role in our transformation strategy, keeping us focused on financial discipline and strengthening our foundation so that we can accelerate and position the company for long-term success. As we look ahead, I am excited to work closely with Scott – a results-driven leader with deep financial and digital expertise who is uniquely equipped to support our next phase of growth.”
DeSimone returned to the CFO role in early 2024. He focused on strengthening the company’s balance sheet, solidifying its financial foundation, and positioning the organization for long-term success.
“With those priorities well underway and a strong successor ready to lead the financial organization, I believe the end of this year is the right time to retire,” DeSimone said. “It has been a privilege to serve Herbalife over the past 18 years, and I have great confidence in the company’s future.”
Scott Schaefer is a strategic finance and business leader known for delivering operational excellence, financial transparency, and long-term value. Before joining Herbalife, he spent more than 16 years at Zappos.com, an Amazon subsidiary.
At Zappos, Schaefer advanced through multiple finance and operations roles and later served as President and CEO. In that position, he led an organization of more than 1,000 employees. He refocused the business on a customer-relevant strategy, drove a digital-first growth agenda, optimized operations, and delivered significant bottom-line improvements.
Prior to becoming CEO, Schaefer served as CFO and Vice President of Finance at Zappos. He co-led enterprise strategy, strengthened financial planning and analytics, and provided board-level insights that improved decision-making and profitability. He also helped lead the company’s largest acquisition, a sneaker and streetwear boutique that expanded its position in premium lifestyle footwear.
Earlier in his career, Schaefer held finance roles at Ernst & Young and Davenport Wealth Solutions.
Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE: HLF) is a premier health and wellness company, community, and platform. Since 1980, it has offered science-backed nutrition products and a business opportunity through independent distributors. The company operates in more than 90 markets and supports customers in adopting healthier, more active lifestyles.
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