On Feb. 3, 2026, Pleasant Grove, Utah-based essential oils company doTERRA announced that founder David Stirling has officially returned to his role as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Stirling had stepped away from the CEO position in 2022 to serve on a philanthropic mission in Armenia and Georgia.
During his three-year absence, Stirling remained closely connected to the company as a member of its board of directors. Since returning last summer, he has reconnected with teams across the organization.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the dedication, care, and commitment our teams and Wellness Advocates bring to dōTERRA each day,” Stirling said in the company’s announcement. “Being back with this community has only strengthened my passion for what we’re building together.”
Leadership Transition and New North America President
Stirling succeeds Kirk Jowers, who served as CEO during a period that included economic challenges and shifts in the direct sales industry. Jowers, a Harvard Law School graduate who joined doTERRA in 2015, held various leadership roles, including overseeing expansion across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, before becoming president of the North America markets. He was named CEO in February 2024 after Corey Lindley retired following a two-year tenure.
Alongside Stirling’s return, doTERRA announced that longtime Wellness Advocate Jessica Moultrie will join the company as President of North America. Moultrie, a Presidential Diamond with more than 15 years of experience building a doTERRA business, will serve on the executive team and oversee North America’s sales and event strategy.
Isaac Wilson will continue as General Manager of the U.S. market, and Shannon Bible will remain Executive Vice President of North America. Bible previously won platinum for Team Builder of the Year at the Titan Business Awards.
Stirling’s Background and Company Origins
Stirling co-founded doTERRA in 2008 with six other executives when, as the company’s biography notes, “the benefits of essential oils were largely unknown to most and access to purity was limited.” He holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the University of Utah.
Under Stirling’s initial leadership, doTERRA grew from a startup to what the company describes as the world’s largest essential oil company.
Recent Company Performance and Recognition
doTERRA enters 2026 with several recent milestones. Former CEO Jowers announced during the company’s Jumpstart 2025 event that the company had surpassed $2 billion in annual sales while serving more than 10 million customers worldwide. Jowers also noted the company operates net debt-free.
Weeks before Stirling’s return was announced, doTERRA received the “Best Essential Oils” designation in Oprah Daily’s 2026 Self-Care O-wards. Expert panelist Erica Reid, a holistic wellness coach, commented on her use of the products: “I sprinkle some in my hands, rub them together, and inhale. It supports my nervous system and helps me stay in balance or get settled.”
Bekah Nixon, Vice President of Global Product Innovation at doTERRA, responded to the recognition: “From sourcing and testing to formulation, our essential oils are designed to make daily self-care both accessible and effective.”
Global Sourcing Network and Philanthropic Arm
doTERRA sources more than 140 essential oils from 45 countries worldwide, with more than half of those locations classified as developing nations. Through its Cō-Impact Sourcing program, launched in 2016, the company works directly with farmers and distillers. A 2018 company report indicated the initiative had created 122,095 jobs.
The company also operates the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation, established in 2010. A 2024 impact report indicated the foundation donated more than $3 million that year, supporting initiatives in 14 countries, including clean water projects in Nepal, educational programs in Ghana, and medical support in Eswatini.
One notable project is the 10,000-acre Kealakekua Mountain Reserve in Hawaii, which doTERRA describes as the largest reforestation effort in the state, with a goal to plant one million trees by 2030.
Product Portfolio and Revenue Distribution
While essential oils remain doTERRA’s core business, representing 57 percent of total sales, the company has expanded into nutritional supplements (26 percent of sales), personal care products (14 percent), and other categories. Recent product launches include the VMG+ Whole-Food Nutrient Complex, which combines over 90 premium ingredients into a daily nutrition powder.
Jowers, during his tenure, highlighted the diversification: “We’ve already seen great success with some of our recent innovations like the VMG product line, which has become one of my favorite products.”
Business Model and Distributor Network
doTERRA operates through a network marketing model, connecting over 3 million distributors, called Wellness Advocates, with customers worldwide. Wellness Advocates can participate in three ways: purchasing products at discounted rates for personal or family use, selling products directly to earn retail profits, or expanding their network by introducing others to doTERRA’s products and business opportunities.
2026 Outlook and Market Context
Stirling’s return comes as the global essential oils market continues to expand. Market research firm IMARC Group projects the sector will grow from its current valuation, driven by increasing consumer interest in natural and organic products, rising adoption in spa services and wellness tourism, and technological advancements in extraction processes.
doTERRA has identified Europe, Russia, China, and Japan as high-growth markets. Company projections indicate Europe’s essential oil market is expanding, with doTERRA noting the region’s population is double that of the United States. China, after experiencing post-pandemic slowdowns, showed growth that “consistently outpaces projections” as of late 2024 and early 2025.
The company stated that its “vision, values, and strategic priorities remain unchanged” following the leadership transition. A Leadership Retreat scheduled for March 9-11, 2026, in San Diego, California, will provide Wellness Advocates with training sessions and company updates.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Individual results and experiences may vary, and success depends on personal effort and external factors.
