Michael J. Bender named Chief Executive Officer of Kohl’s

Kohl’s Corporation has announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Michael J. Bender as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, effective November 23, 2025. Bender has been serving as Interim CEO since May 1, 2025, and will continue to hold his position on the Board.

Before joining Kohl’s, Bender was President and CEO of Eyemart Express, LLC from January 2018 to April 2022, after serving as President starting in September 2017. Earlier, he spent several years at Walmart Inc., where he held key leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer of Global eCommerce and Executive Vice President and President of the Walmart West division.

He has also held senior positions at Cardinal Health, Inc. and Victoria’s Secret under L Brands, Inc. Bender began his career at PepsiCo, Inc., where he worked for over ten years across sales, finance, and operations.

Bender currently serves on the Board of Acuity Brands and previously served as a Director at Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. He has been a member of Kohl’s Board since 2019 and served as Board Chair from May 2024 until his appointment as interim CEO in 2025.

“During his time as interim CEO, Michael has consistently demonstrated strong leadership—improving performance, sharpening long-term strategy, and advancing meaningful cultural change,” said Board Chair John Schlifske. “With his extensive experience in retail and consumer businesses and his deep commitment to the Kohl’s brand, the Board is confident he will continue to guide the company forward for the benefit of our associates, customers, and shareholders.”

Schlifske added, “After a thorough search supported by an external firm, the Board unanimously agreed that Michael is the right person for the role.”

Reacting to his appointment, Bender said, “I’m truly honored to step into the role of CEO. The last six months have strengthened my admiration for this company and what we can achieve. Kohl’s has a long-standing legacy in the retail industry, offering families great products, strong value, and a distinct shopping experience. My focus is on rebuilding our leadership position by putting customers at the center of everything we do. While we’re encouraged by the progress so far, we’re committed to accelerating our transformation—together with our partners, vendors, and the incredible Kohl’s team across the country.”