The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, April 23, edition that Lululemon athletica has appointed former Nike executive Heidi O'Neill as its new chief executive officer, concluding a four-month search initiated after the announcement of former CEO Calvin McDonald's departure late last year. The Globe's Susan Krashinsky Robertson writes that Ms. O'Neill will step into the role on Sept. 8 and she will join the board of directors on the same day. In the intervening months, interim co-CEOs Meghan Frank and Andre Maestrini will continue to lead the company. Lululemon has been facing sharp questions about its future amid a declining stock price, a public fight with founder Chip Wilson and acknowledgements from its senior executives that the brand had become stale with some of its most important customers. Last month, Lululemon announced a muted growth estimate for the year ahead, with expected revenue growth of 2 to 4 per cent, driven by international markets. In North America -- which has been a source of concern as the brand loses traction to rivals such as Alo and Vuori, as well as a litany of niche competitors that have multiplied in recent years -- sales are expected to continue their slump for the year ahead.