COO, K18 Hair
Alyson Barker is a practicing Catholic, wife and mother. Outside of those responsibilities, she is a senior retail and consumer product company executive with a proven track record of assisting public and privately held companies to grow and operate their businesses while mitigating risk and maximizing shareholder value. Alyson’s career reflects demonstrated success in leading significant M&A deals, large-scale transformational initiatives at both public and private companies, including founder-led start-ups and industry disrupters, brand protection efforts and the implementation of risk mitigation strategies.
Currently, Alyson is the Chief Operating Officer of Biomimetek, Inc., a biotechnology company that is changing the landscape of haircare through its patented K18-branded technology that reverses and repairs hair damage in just four minutes. As COO, Alyson oversees K18’s strategic initiatives, operations, innovation and new product development (including responsibility for its in-house scientists, partnerships and research initiatives with academic and industry scientists and oversight of clinical trials), human resources, regulatory, compliance, legal and corporate governance functions. Despite the brand being just over two-years old, K18 was recently recognized by Fast Company’s 2023 list of most innovative companies (achieving the third spot in the beauty category). K18 has also been the recipient of many industry and consumer awards, including being recognized as Allure’s Best of Beauty Award, has quickly risen the ranks to become one of Sephora’s top-ten hair brands and is sold in over 100 countries worldwide. K18 has also achieved the status as the top hair brand on TikTok with over 20 billion views and has achieved the number one spot for EMV (earned media value) among haircare brands.
Before joining K18, Alyson served as President of DB Holdings Shops LLC, the largest operator of Drybar-branded shops in the United States, with 90 of the nearly 150 shops in the chain. As President, Alyson was the most senior executive in the company and had responsibility for the operational performance of its 90 shops. Prior to that, Alyson served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer of Drybar Holdings LLC, with oversight and responsibility for the Company’s Technology, Operations, Human Resources, Legal, Construction, Real Estate, Business Development and Franchise teams. In her time with Drybar Holdings LLC, Alyson led a series of M&A transactions that resulted in the sale of the company’s Product division and franchise rights and helped grow the fleet from 45 to nearly 150 shops.
Alyson has a rich background in all aspects of brand protection, intellectual property and digital technology, dating back to the start of her career as an intellectual property lawyer. This background has enabled Alyson to lead a number of strategic licensing and partnership initiatives in the U.S. and international markets as well as providing leadership to her company’s eCommerce and Digital teams in transforming website and mobile capabilities, launching an industry-leading customer data platform and integrating an in-house customer service team with an off-shore provider.
Earlier in her career, Alyson was General Counsel at Lucky Brand Dungarees and General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for The Wet Seal, Inc. (WTSLA). Under Alyson’s leadership at Wet Seal, the National Law Journal recognized the company as the Southern California Law Department of the Year for Corporate Compliance. Alyson started her career as an intellectual property attorney, most recently at Jones Day, where she represented clients including Nike, Mattel, Electronics for Imaging and Abbott.
Outside of her professional commitments, Alyson is engaged in a number of faith-based and secular community and business initiatives, including serving as a member of the Board of Regents for J Serra Catholic High School, Catholic Programs Committee Chair for her local parish school’s Parent Teacher Organization, serves on the Advisory Board of MDKeller (a U.S.-based holding company based on shared values), is a Director of 6XHoyas Ventures LLC (an entity focused on elevating the culture through secular and faith-based initiatives and investments that recognize the beauty of the person and the value of faith in society) and is a Board member of her Legatus Chapter. While Alyson is a self-described adrenaline junky, her perfect day is centered around the Sacraments and in private contemplation with God.