VP, Law and Corporate Secretary | Kenvue Canada

Heather L Mullen
VP, Law and Corporate Secretary | Kenvue Canada
Legal team size: Four
What projects are you most proud to have worked on over the past 12 months?
The past twelve months have been a remarkable period of transformation for Kenvue Canada, characterised by a complex separation from Johnson & Johnson and a host of local adaptations alongside the launch of numerous initiatives. The Canadian legal team played a crucial role in this journey, as the establishment of the new Canadian entity marked a pioneering moment within the global organisation.
Concurrently, with the transition to Kenvue Canada, the global organisation initiated its SAP S/4 HANA rollout program, a multi-year endeavor aimed at consolidating existing ERP systems into a cohesive global instance of SAP’s S/4 platform. Canada was chosen to lead this initiative, becoming the first Kenvue market worldwide to embrace this significant change. The legal department in Canada took charge of the risk management evaluation, proactively identifying potential challenges and devising effective solutions to address them. As a result of these strategic efforts, Canada has set a new benchmark for success within the project, establishing best practices and standards for other markets to follow.
Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?
I have had numerous experiences throughout my career that have been both unique and impactful, but one that stands out is my recent experience as the legal lead for (and member of) the customer development leadership team in the USA. This expanded role not only allowed me to step into a pivotal position but also provided me with the opportunity to engage directly with the largest market in our company.
What made this experience particularly interesting was the dynamic environment of the USA market, where I encountered a diverse array of regulatory challenges and competitive dynamics. I had to adapt quickly, developing strategies that balanced legal compliance with the need for agility in a fast-paced business setting.
This role not only refined my legal expertise but also reinforced the importance of collaboration and communication across departments. It was rewarding to see how my contributions helped shape our approach and align with our broader business objectives, ultimately driving success in a market that is critical to our company’s success. This experience reaffirmed my passion for leveraging legal knowledge to facilitate business advancements and solidified my commitment to being a proactive partner in achieving organisational goals.
How does your team contribute to the overall business strategy of the company?
One of the many examples is how the legal department in Canada has actively partnered with industry associations to address pressing concerns related to theft and consumer fraud in online marketplaces. These collaborative initiatives led to the formation of a Consumer Fraud Task Force organised by Cosmetic Alliance Canada, as well as an additional task force established by the Food Health and Consumer Products sector to confront these challenges head-on. Through these efforts, our team has not only advocated for safer consumer environments but has also reinforced the company’s commitment to integrity and responsibility within the marketplace.