Michael J. Bender confirmed as permanent CEO of Kohl's

Kohl’s Corporation announced that its board of directors has unanimously appointed Michael J. Bender as chief executive officer, effective November 23, 2025. Bender, who has served as interim CEO since May 1, 2025, will continue to serve on the company’s board.

Board chair John Schlifske praised Bender’s leadership during his interim tenure, stating, “Over the past several months as interim CEO, Michael has proven to be an exceptional leader for Kohl's – progressively improving results, driving short and long-term strategy, and positively impacting cultural change. With three decades of leadership experience across retail and consumer goods companies and a deep commitment to the Kohl's brand, we are confident Michael will continue to lead the Company forward in a way that will benefit our associates, customers, and shareholders.”

Bender brings more than 30 years of experience across major retail and consumer brands. He previously served as president and CEO of Eyemart Express and held senior operational roles at Walmart, including COO of Global eCommerce. His earlier career includes leadership posts at Cardinal Health, Victoria’s Secret, and PepsiCo. He has served on the Kohl’s board since 2019 and was board chair before stepping into the interim CEO role in May 2025.

Bender expressed gratitude, saying, “I'm honored to take on the role of CEO at Kohl's. Working with the teams over the last six months has deepened my love of this company and my conviction in what's possible for our future. Kohl's has a storied and important role in the retail industry, serving and celebrating families with great products, compelling value, and a differentiated shopping experience.”

Kohl’s will report its third-quarter 2025 earnings on November 25, 2025.