Ashley Buchanan Kohl’s CEO Fired 2025: Salary, Scandal, Net Worth, & New CEO Revealed

Why “Ashley Buchanan Kohl’s CEO Fired 2025” Is Trending

The news broke on May 1, 2025, when Kohl’s Corporation officially terminated CEO Ashley Buchanan for cause. A rising retail leader known for his digital-first vision, Buchanan was once celebrated as the man who could reinvent Kohl’s.

But now, he’s the center of a scandal that’s shaking Wall Street, disrupting vendor contracts, and opening new doors for bold investors.

Why Was Ashley Buchanan Fired?

According to an official press release from Kohl’s and reports by CNN Business and Yahoo Finance, Ashley Buchanan was fired following an internal investigation that uncovered serious ethical breaches.

🔍 Key Issue: Buchanan allegedly influenced vendor transactions involving undisclosed personal conflicts of interest, violating Kohl’s vendor and compliance policies.

These undisclosed ties raised concerns over preferential treatment and governance failure, leading to a swift and public dismissal by the board.

Ashley Buchanan’s Salary and Compensation at Kohl’s

When Ashley Buchanan joined Kohl’s as CEO, his compensation package was one of the most generous in retail:

• 🧾 Base Salary: $1.475 million
• 💰 Signing Bonus: $3.75 million
• 📈 Stock Awards & Options: Over $15 million
• 📊 Total Package (2020–2025): Estimated above $25 million

Even with this high salary, Buchanan’s tenure ended before the company’s digital strategy could fully materialize.

Ashley Buchanan Net Worth 2025

As of 2025, Ashley Buchanan’s estimated net worth is between $25 million and $40 million, accumulated through:

• High-level executive roles at Walmart, Michaels, and Kohl’s
• Equity awards and bonuses
• Private investments (speculated but not publicly disclosed)

Ashley Buchanan Personal Life: Wife, Kids, and Family

Public records about Ashley Buchanan’s personal life remain limited. He is known to keep a low profile when it comes to family.

• 🤐 Wife: No confirmed public appearance or name
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Children: Reports suggest he has kids, but no official details
• 🏫 Kids’ Education: School information is private
• 🏡 Residence: Believed to live in Texas or Wisconsin, depending on his CEO roles

This level of privacy is common among top-tier executives.

Who Is the New CEO of Kohl’s?

Following Buchanan’s exit, Michael Bender, Kohl’s Board Chair and longtime board member, was appointed as Interim CEO.

• 📌 Background: Former Walmart and Cardinal Health executive
• 📈 Reputation: Known for steady leadership and operational discipline
• 🔍 CEO Search: Kohl’s has begun an executive search for a permanent CEO to drive the next phase of growth

Vendor Scandal Explained: Who Are These Vendors?

While exact vendor names have not been publicly released, internal sources indicate Buchanan:

• Directed vendor contracts toward companies where he had personal or financial interests
• Failed to disclose these relationships, breaching internal compliance rules
• Triggered concerns about procurement integrity and favoritism

This has opened up a deeper audit of Kohl’s vendor ecosystem and future supply chain strategy.

What Does This Mean for Investors?

The market reacted immediately. Kohl’s stock rose 6.7% on the day Buchanan was fired.

Why This Is a New Opportunity:

• 💡 Leadership Reset: Fresh strategy and better governance ahead
• 📉 Undervalued Stock: Turnaround potential attracts long-term investors
• 📦 Vendor Clean-up: Improved transparency may strengthen supplier relationships
• 🏬 Digital Pivot: New CEO may aggressively pursue digital transformation

If you’re a retail investor or long-term stockholder, this may be a strategic entry point into Kohl’s.

🔎 FAQs: Ashley Buchanan Kohl’s CEO Fired 2025

Q1. Why was Ashley Buchanan fired from Kohl’s?
➡️ He was fired for directing vendor contracts that had undisclosed personal conflicts of interest.

Q2. What was Ashley Buchanan’s salary at Kohl’s?
➡️ Over $20 million in total compensation, including a $1.475 million base salary and stock awards.

Q3. Who is replacing Ashley Buchanan as CEO?
➡️ Michael Bender is currently serving as interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent leader.

Q4. What is Ashley Buchanan’s net worth in 2025?
➡️ Estimated between $25 million to $40 million.

Q5. Does Ashley Buchanan have a wife or kids?
➡️ He is known to keep his personal life private; no public details are available.

Q6. What vendors were involved in the scandal?
➡️ Kohl’s has not disclosed vendor names, but the transactions were tied to conflict-of-interest violations.

Q7. Is this a good time to invest in Kohl’s?
➡️ With a leadership change and a rising stock, analysts see a potential turnaround opportunity.