Retail leaders shape not just companies but also consumer experiences, local economies, and even national conversations. One name that recently captured headlines is CEO Ashley Buchanan, known for his rise through Walmart, his role at Michaels, and most recently, his turbulent exit from Kohl’s. His story offers insight into leadership, corporate accountability, and the challenges facing retail giants in today’s competitive market.
Early Life and Education
Ashley Buchanan built his foundation with a strong academic background. He earned his degree from the University of Oklahoma and later pursued an MBA, which prepared him for leadership roles in major U.S. corporations. His education emphasized finance and management, both of which became central to his executive career.
Career at Walmart: Building an E-Commerce Vision
Before stepping into the spotlight as CEO elsewhere, Buchanan worked at Walmart, one of the largest retailers in the world. There, he held several key positions, including roles in merchandising and digital strategy.
At Walmart, Buchanan focused on e-commerce expansion at a time when online retail was rapidly reshaping consumer habits. His work on integrating physical and digital shopping experiences earned him recognition as an innovative leader who understood the future of retail.
Leading Michaels: A Creative Marketplace Transformation
In January 2020, Ashley Buchanan became the CEO of The Michaels Companies, the largest arts and crafts retailer in North America. This move marked a major milestone, giving him the chance to lead a national brand through the COVID-19 pandemic and the changing retail landscape.
At Michaels, Buchanan pushed for digital growth, curbside pickup, and loyalty programs. His leadership helped Michaels adapt quickly during a period when arts and crafts became popular for homebound families.
The Kohl’s Chapter: Leadership Cut Short
One of the most dramatic turns in Ashley Buchanan’s career came in early 2025 when he was named CEO of Kohl’s Corporation, a department store chain headquartered in Wisconsin.
However, this chapter ended abruptly. Kohl’s fires CEO Ashley Buchanan for unethical behavior, a decision announced just four months after he took the role. According to Kohl’s, Buchanan was terminated for directing the company into vendor transactions that involved undisclosed conflicts of interest.
Importantly, the company clarified that his firing was not connected to Kohl’s financial performance or reporting practices, but rather to breaches of company policy. Michael Bender, chairman of the board, stepped in as interim CEO while a search for permanent leadership began.
This firing, reported widely under the headline:
“Kohl’s fires CEO Ashley Buchanan for unethical behavior”, shocked the retail industry and raised questions about corporate oversight and leadership ethics.
Ashley Buchanan Net Worth: A Look at Executive Pay
Despite the controversy, one fact remains clear: Ashley Buchanan net worth is substantial. His compensation packages as a top retail executive positioned him among the highest-paid leaders in Wisconsin.
At Kohl’s, his base salary combined with stock options and incentives pushed his total compensation to over $20 million annually. This pay scale placed him in line with executives at other Fortune 500 companies, though his abrupt firing highlighted the risks that come with high-profile roles.
Ashley Buchanan Politics: Influence Beyond Retail
Another area of curiosity is Ashley Buchanan politics. While he has not been widely vocal about personal political affiliations, his role as a CEO placed him in circles that intersect with policy, trade regulations, and labor issues.
Corporate leaders in retail often engage with political stakeholders on topics like taxation, supply chain laws, and retail employment. Buchanan’s influence extended into these arenas, showing how modern CEOs are not only business leaders but also participants in shaping economic policy.
Ashley Buchanan and Chandra Holt: Leadership in Context
In recent discussions about leadership transitions, the name Ashley Buchanan Chandra Holt often appears. Chandra Holt, another retail executive with experience at Walmart and Conn’s HomePlus, is sometimes compared with Buchanan due to overlapping career paths and leadership in competitive retail environments.
Both executives represent a generation of leaders tasked with guiding legacy retailers into the digital-first era. While Buchanan faced a career setback at Kohl’s, Holt has been seen as a steady hand in her own executive roles.
Lessons from the Firing at Kohl’s
The abrupt decision to remove CEO Ashley Buchanan is more than a headline; it reflects deeper lessons about corporate governance. Transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership are now under the microscope more than ever.
For Kohl’s, a retailer already facing stiff competition from Amazon, Walmart, and Target, the controversy could add pressure as the company searches for a leader who can restore confidence. For Buchanan, the firing underscores how quickly reputations can shift in high-stakes corporate environments.
Conclusion: The Ongoing Legacy of CEO Ashley Buchanan
The story of CEO Ashley Buchanan is a mix of ambition, success, and controversy. From Walmart’s digital growth to Michaels’ pandemic-era adaptation and the dramatic firing at Kohl’s, his career illustrates both the opportunities and risks of leading major U.S. retailers.
While the future of Buchanan’s career remains uncertain, the impact of his leadership, and the lessons from his firing, will continue to shape discussions in retail boardrooms and beyond.
For readers following executive leadership, corporate ethics, and retail transformations, Buchanan’s story is a reminder that leadership is not only about results but also about trust.
To delve deeper into Robin Williams’ enduring impact, explore our detailed article on his legacy here: Robin Williams: Movies, Legacy & Untold Story.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is Ashley Buchanan, and why was he fired from Kohl’s?
Ashley Buchanan, a seasoned retail executive and former CEO of Michaels and Kohl’s, was fired after just 106 days on the job. Kohl’s terminated him for directing business to a vendor he had a personal relationship with, without disclosing the conflict of interest, violating the company’s ethics policy.
Q. What was Ashley Buchanan’s estimated net worth at the time of his firing?
Estimates vary, but Ashley Buchanan’s net worth around May 2025 was commonly placed between $14 million and $17.4 million, largely derived from his holdings in Kohl’s and other executive roles.
Q. What do we know about “Ashley Buchanan politics”?
There is no public record of Buchanan’s personal political affiliations or stances. As a corporate executive, his involvement likely centered around retail-related policies, such as trade, taxation, and labor, but these were typical executive responsibilities, not political advocacy.
Q. Who is Chandra Holt and what is her connection to Ashley Buchanan?
Chandra Holt is a former Walmart executive, founder and CEO of the coffee brand Incredibrew, and a consultant at Boston Consulting Group. She and Buchanan were in a long-term romantic relationship that began during their time at Walmart. This relationship influenced vendor deals at Kohl’s, contributing to Buchanan’s dismissal for ethical violations.
