Chris Macaulay, CEO of Killara Outdoors, is not your typical outdoor industry executive. Before leading one of the most ambitious growth platforms in the space, he was shaping global campaigns at top-tier advertising agencies — a career that taught him how to move audiences and build brands with staying power.

But over time, Macaulay’s ambitions shifted. "I wanted to be more than a strategist — I wanted to build real companies with real value," he explains. That desire led him to pivot from Madison Avenue to Main Street, where he now plays a pivotal role scaling some of America’s most beloved outdoor brands.

A Strategic Shift: From Creative Director to Category Builder

With a background rooted in consumer psychology and brand architecture, Macaulay brings a uniquely modern perspective to a historically traditional industry. Under his leadership, Killara Outdoors has emerged as a national platform company focused on acquiring, scaling, and integrating outdoor brands across apparel, gear, and sporting goods.

Since 2019, Macaulay has led operations from Texas and Colorado, overseeing complex integrations, modernizing manufacturing infrastructure, and driving strategic growth initiatives. His leadership has directly contributed to rapid expansion across retail, e-commerce, and media — and earned him a reputation as one of the most effective operator-CEOs in the outdoor sector.

"Brand equity is important, but operational excellence is what creates long-term enterprise value," says Macaulay. “At Killara, we don’t just acquire companies — we transform them into category leaders.”

A Trusted Partner to Founders

Through his role at Killara, Macaulay has worked alongside legacy founders and next-generation entrepreneurs alike, helping them preserve their brand ethos while navigating growth at scale.

Colleagues and partners cite his rare combination of creative instinct and executional rigor. “He’s one of the few people who understands both sides of the business,” said one industry veteran. “He can talk go-to-market strategy in the morning and redesign your warehouse flow in the afternoon.”

This duality has made him a sought-after leader — particularly in an industry where authenticity, trust, and deep category knowledge are paramount.

Building the Future of Outdoor

Under Macaulay’s leadership, Killara has executed multiple strategic acquisitions and is actively developing its platform across logistics, media, and product innovation. With new deals underway and national partnerships forming, the company is positioning itself as a next-generation force in the $1T outdoor economy.

“Our mission is simple,” Macaulay says. “We build brands that matter. We scale with integrity. And we’re here for the long haul.”

About Killara Outdoors

Killara Outdoors is a U.S.-based holding company building the next generation of outdoor brands through strategic acquisition, operational excellence, and founder-aligned partnerships. Learn more at killara.com.