Kohl’s Corporation, America’s largest department store chain by number of locations, was led by Michelle Gass as Chief Executive Officer from May 2018 to December 2022. During her tenure, Gass transformed Kohl’s into a leading omnichannel retailer, launching a landmark partnership with Sephora that brought beauty shops inside Kohl’s stores and forging an innovative returns partnership with Amazon. A chemical engineering graduate turned retail executive, Gass brought over 25 years of experience from Procter & Gamble, Starbucks, and Kohl’s itself before ascending to the top job. She departed Kohl’s in December 2022 to become President and eventually CEO of Levi Strauss & Co.

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Michelle Gass – Quick Facts

Kohl’s Competitors

During Michelle Gass’s tenure, Kohl’s Corporation competed with some of the largest retailers in the United States. Key competitors of Kohl’s include:

• Macy’s – largest U.S. department store chain by revenue
• Nordstrom – premium department store and e-commerce retailer
• Target – mass-market discount retailer with apparel focus
• TJX Companies (T.J. Maxx, Marshalls) – off-price retail giant
• Ross Stores (Ross Dress for Less) – off-price competitor
• Burlington Stores – off-price department store chain
• JCPenney – mid-tier department store competitor
• Dillard’s – regional department store chain

Michelle Gass Net Worth 2026 – Kohl’s CEO Salary

As of 2026, Michelle Gass net worth is estimated at approximately $50–60 million USD, based on her reported stock holdings across multiple companies including Levi Strauss & Co., Kohl’s, Starbucks, and other board positions. During her time as Kohl’s CEO, Gass earned over $55 million in total compensation from 2018 through 2022. Her final-year package at Kohl’s was valued at approximately $9.03 million.

Kohl’s CEO Compensation Breakdown (FY2022 – Final Year)

Kohl’s CEO Pay History (Michelle Gass)

Kohl’s Net Worth 2026 – Is Kohl’s Profitable?

Kohl’s has faced significant challenges since Michelle Gass’s departure. Under subsequent leadership, the company has seen declining comparable sales for over 10 consecutive quarters. As of early 2026, Kohl’s market capitalization stands at approximately $2.1 billion, a fraction of its former value.

Kohl’s Financial Summary (FY2024, ended Feb 1, 2025)

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Kohl’s CEO Email Address | Michelle Gass Contact

Below are the contact details and social media profiles for former Kohl’s CEO Michelle Gass. Note that her Kohl’s email is no longer active since her departure in December 2022:

Career & Education – Company, University, & College

Michelle Gass’s career spans over 35 years in the retail and consumer goods industries. She began at Procter & Gamble, spent 17 transformative years at Starbucks, served as Kohl’s CEO for nearly five years, and is now leading Levi Strauss & Co. Below is her complete career timeline:

Michelle Gass Career Timeline

Michelle Gass began her career at Procter & Gamble in 1990, working in product development after graduating from WPI. In 1996, she moved to Starbucks, where she managed the Frappuccino brand and helped grow it into a $2 billion business. Over her 17-year tenure at Starbucks, she rose through senior leadership roles including President of Seattle’s Best Coffee and President of Starbucks EMEA, where she led the coffee chain’s expansion across Europe.

In 2013, Gass joined Kohl’s as Chief Customer Officer and was promoted to Chief Merchandising and Customer Officer in 2015. She was named CEO-elect in October 2017 and officially assumed the CEO role in May 2018, succeeding Kevin Mansell. During her nearly five-year tenure as CEO, she established the groundbreaking Sephora at Kohl’s partnership, forged an Amazon returns program, and built out Kohl’s multibillion-dollar e-commerce business.

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In November 2022, Gass announced her departure from Kohl’s to join Levi Strauss & Co. as President, overseeing the Levi’s brand and global operations. She became CEO of Levi Strauss in January 2024, succeeding Chip Bergh. Under her leadership, Levi’s has seen strong growth in its direct-to-consumer business and women’s categories.

Education

In May 2025, Michelle Gass returned to Worcester Polytechnic Institute as undergraduate commencement speaker and was awarded an honorary doctorate.

Michelle Gass Wiki – Age, Family, & More

Former Kohl’s CEO Michelle Gass (age 57–58, born 1968) was born and raised in Lewiston, Maine. Her parents are Claire and Bob Petkers. She married her husband Scott Gass on August 20, 1994. Scott Gass served as a Staff Sergeant and Fitness Specialist in the U.S. Air Force before becoming a business strategist. Together they have two children, daughter Megan and son Will, who are now adults.

During her Starbucks years, Gass relocated her family from Seattle to London when she took the helm of Starbucks’ European operations. She has spoken fondly of growing up near Thompson Lake in Maine, and one of her most memorable vacations was camping on the lake with her family. A coffee aficionado, she starts her mornings with an Americano and switches to Vanilla Rooibos tea by midday. In 2022, she sold her Oconomowoc Lake home in Wisconsin for $6.2 million before relocating to San Francisco for her role at Levi’s.

Notable Achievements & Recognitions

• NRF Foundation “The List” – Named to the National Retail Federation’s list of people shaping retail’s future (2020)
• Sephora at Kohl’s Partnership – Architected the landmark 2,500-store beauty partnership, widely regarded as one of the most innovative retail collaborations in a decade
• Amazon Returns at Kohl’s – Pioneered the program allowing customers to return Amazon purchases at Kohl’s stores, driving foot traffic
• Starbucks Frappuccino – Built the blended beverage line into a $2 billion brand during her early Starbucks career
• WPI Honorary Doctorate – Awarded an honorary doctorate from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and delivered the 2025 commencement address
• Board Member – Served on the boards of Cigna, PepsiCo, and Starbucks

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About Kohl’s Corporation

Kohl’s Corporation is an American department store retail chain headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Founded in 1962, Kohl’s operates approximately 1,150 stores across 49 states, making it the largest department store chain in the United States by number of locations. The company offers a broad assortment of apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, and home products.

Kohl’s trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KSS. The company has faced a turbulent period of leadership since Gass’s departure: Tom Kingsbury served as interim and then permanent CEO (2022–2025), Ashley Buchanan was appointed but terminated for cause after just 100 days (January–May 2025), and Michael Bender was named permanent CEO in November 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who was the CEO of Kohl’s before Tom Kingsbury?

Michelle Gass served as CEO of Kohl’s Corporation from May 2018 to December 2, 2022. She stepped down to join Levi Strauss & Co. as President and was succeeded by Tom Kingsbury on an interim basis.

What is Michelle Gass’s net worth in 2026?

As of 2026, Michelle Gass’s net worth is estimated at $50–60 million USD. This includes stock holdings across Levi Strauss & Co., Kohl’s, Starbucks, and other companies where she has served as an executive or board director. Her cumulative CEO compensation at Kohl’s exceeded $55 million over five years.

What was Michelle Gass’s salary at Kohl’s?

Michelle Gass’s total compensation at Kohl’s ranged from approximately $9 million to $12.9 million per year during her tenure as CEO. Her final-year (FY2022) package was valued at about $9 million, including a $1.24 million base salary and $7.55 million in stock awards.

Where is Michelle Gass now?

Michelle Gass is currently the President and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co. She joined Levi’s in 2023 as President and was appointed CEO by the board in January 2024, succeeding Chip Bergh. Under her leadership, Levi’s has focused on growing its direct-to-consumer business and expanding women’s apparel.

What is Michelle Gass’s email address?

Michelle Gass’s former Kohl’s email address was [email protected], which is no longer active. She can be found on LinkedIn and on Twitter/X at @MichelleGass. For Kohl’s customer service, call (855) 564-5705.

What major changes did Michelle Gass make at Kohl’s?

During her tenure, Michelle Gass launched the Sephora at Kohl’s beauty partnership across hundreds of stores, introduced the Amazon returns program to drive store traffic, built out Kohl’s e-commerce platform into a multibillion-dollar business, and revamped the company’s loyalty program. She also navigated the company through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Article last updated:January 2026March 2, 2026