Michael Bender is the Chief Executive Officer of Kohl’s Corporation (NYSE: KSS), one of America’s largest department store chains with over 1,100 stores nationwide. Bender became Kohl’s permanent CEO in November 2025 after serving as interim CEO since May 2025 — making him the company’s fourth CEO in just four years. A Stanford and Kellogg MBA graduate with 30+ years of senior retail leadership spanning PepsiCo, Victoria’s Secret, Walmart, and Eyemart Express, Bender was tasked with stabilizing and reviving the struggling retailer.
Read on to discover Kohl’s CEO Michael Bender’s email address, net worth, salary and compensation, career history, education, and more.
Quick Facts
| Michael Bender — Key Information | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael J. Bender |
| Age | ~63 (born c. 1962) |
| Nationality | American |
| Title | Chief Executive Officer & Director |
| Company | Kohl’s Corporation (NYSE: KSS) |
| CEO Since | November 23, 2025 (interim from May 1, 2025) |
| Education | BA Economics, Stanford University; MBA, Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern) |
| Net Worth (Est.) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Annual Compensation | ~$13.5M+ (estimated total package) |
| [email protected] | |
| Board Member Since | 2019 |
Career Highlights
- 30+ years of senior retail leadership across PepsiCo, Victoria’s Secret, Cardinal Health, Walmart, and Eyemart Express
- President & CEO of Eyemart Express (2018–2022), leading the optical retailer through operational improvements
- EVP & President of Walmart West (2011–2014) and COO of Walmart Global eCommerce (2014–2017)
- Kohl’s Board Director since 2019, bringing deep institutional knowledge before stepping in as CEO
- Named permanent CEO in November 2025 after stabilizing operations during a turbulent leadership transition
- Overseeing a multiyear turnaround strategy emphasizing brand partnerships like Sephora and Babies “R” Us
Career Timeline
| Period | Role | Company |
|---|---|---|
| 1984–1999 | Various roles in sales, finance & operations (~15 years) | PepsiCo, Inc. |
| 1999–2002 | VP, Store Operations — Victoria’s Secret | L Brands, Inc. |
| 2003–2007 | Senior leadership positions | Cardinal Health, Inc. |
| 2007–2011 | EVP & President, Walmart West | Walmart Inc. |
| 2011–2014 | EVP, various leadership roles | Walmart Inc. |
| 2014–2017 | COO, Global eCommerce | Walmart Inc. |
| 2018–2022 | President & CEO | Eyemart Express, LLC |
| 2019–2025 | Board Director | Kohl’s Corporation |
| May–Nov 2025 | Interim CEO | Kohl’s Corporation |
| Nov 2025–Present | Chief Executive Officer & Director | Kohl’s Corporation |
Michael Bender Net Worth & Salary
Michael Bender’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, his CEO compensation package at Kohl’s is substantial. According to SEC filings, his annual compensation includes a $1.475 million base salary, with salary reviews starting March 2026. He is eligible for Kohl’s Annual Incentive Program with a target of 175% of base salary (up to 200% based on performance), and annual long-term equity awards of at least $9.5 million.
Upon becoming interim CEO, Bender received a one-time $3.775 million equity award and a $160,000 relocation payment to establish a residence in the Milwaukee area. He also receives personal use of company aircraft capped at $200,000 per year and participation in executive benefit programs.
Kohl’s CEO Compensation Breakdown (Estimated Annual)
| Component | Amount (USD) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $1,475,000 | 10.9% |
| Annual Cash Incentive (175% target) | ~$2,581,250 | 19.1% |
| Annual Equity Awards (minimum) | $9,500,000 | 70.0% |
| Estimated Total Annual Compensation | ~$13,556,250+ | 100% |
Key Insight: Over 89% of Bender’s compensation is performance-based (cash incentive + equity), aligning his interests with shareholder value. His equity awards vest over multiple years, incentivizing long-term strategic execution during Kohl’s critical turnaround period.
Kohl’s Financial Summary
Kohl’s has faced significant financial headwinds in recent years, with declining comparable sales and store traffic. Under Bender’s leadership, the company is pursuing a multiyear turnaround strategy. For fiscal 2025 (ending January 2026), Kohl’s initially guided for net sales to decline 5–7% but later improved guidance to a 3.5–4% decline after Q3 results beat expectations.
| Metric | FY2024 | FY2023 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $15.4B | $16.6B | ▼ -7.2% |
| Net Income | $109M | $317M | ▼ -65.6% |
| Operating Income | $433M | $717M | ▼ -39.6% |
| Comparable Sales | -6.5% | -3.4% | ▼ Declining |
| Market Cap (Mar 2026) | ~$1.73B | ▼ -25% YoY | |
| Employees | ~87,000 | ~90,000 | ▼ -3.3% |
| Stores | ~1,100 | ~1,150 | ▼ -50 stores |
Q3 Fiscal 2025 Update (Nov 2025)
In Q3 FY2025, Kohl’s reported net sales of $3.4 billion (down 2.8% YoY) and comparable sales declined 1.7% — an improvement from the 6.5% full-year decline in FY2024. Gross margin improved 51 basis points to 39.6%. The stock surged 34% following the Q3 results, signaling cautious investor optimism about the turnaround trajectory.
Michael Bender Education & Early Life
Michael Bender earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Stanford University in 1984 and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 1988, with concentrations in Marketing, Finance, and Management Policy. His education at two of America’s most prestigious institutions provided a strong foundation for his career in retail and consumer operations.
Michael Bender Personal Life
Michael Bender keeps his personal life private. Before joining Kohl’s full-time, he was based in Dallas, Texas, and received a $160,000 relocation payment to establish a residence in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area near Kohl’s headquarters in Menomonee Falls. Little is publicly known about his family life, as he maintains a low profile outside of professional endeavors.
Michael Bender Fun Fact
Michael Bender is Kohl’s fourth CEO in just four years. He stepped in after the dramatic firing of CEO Ashley Buchanan in April 2025, who was terminated for allegedly steering company business to a romantic partner. Before Buchanan, Tom Kingsbury had retired as CEO in January 2025. Bender’s 30+ year career spanning PepsiCo, Victoria’s Secret, Walmart, and an optical retail chain makes him one of the most cross-industry experienced retail CEOs in America. He also has prior board director experience at other companies, lending institutional governance depth to his operational expertise.
How to Contact Michael Bender / Kohl’s CEO Email
Kohl’s corporate email format is [email protected]. Based on this format, Michael Bender can be reached at:
| Contact Information | |
|---|---|
| Email Address | [email protected] |
| Michael J. Bender | |
| Corporate HQ | N56 W17000 Ridgewood Drive, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 |
| Phone (Corporate) | (262) 703-7000 |
| Investor Relations | [email protected] |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the current CEO of Kohl’s?
Michael J. Bender is the current CEO of Kohl’s Corporation. He became permanent CEO on November 23, 2025, after serving as interim CEO since May 1, 2025. He had been a Kohl’s board director since 2019.
What is Michael Bender’s salary at Kohl’s?
Michael Bender’s estimated annual compensation is approximately $13.5 million or more, including a $1.475 million base salary, up to ~$2.58 million in annual cash incentives, and at least $9.5 million in annual equity awards. He also received a one-time $3.775 million equity signing award.
What is Michael Bender’s net worth?
Michael Bender’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. His wealth is primarily tied to his Kohl’s equity awards, prior earnings from leadership positions at Walmart and Eyemart Express, and personal investments.
Why has Kohl’s had so many CEOs recently?
Kohl’s experienced rapid CEO turnover due to retirements and scandals. Tom Kingsbury retired in January 2025; his replacement Ashley Buchanan was fired in April 2025 for ethics violations (steering company business to a personal relationship). Bender, already on the board, stepped in as interim CEO and was later made permanent.
How many Kohl’s stores are there?
As of 2025, Kohl’s operates approximately 1,100 stores across the United States with around 87,000 employees. The company closed 27 stores in 2025, representing less than 3% of its locations. CEO Bender has stated that over 90% of stores are profitable and productive.
What is Michael Bender’s education?
Bender earned a BA in Economics from Stanford University (1984) and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management (1988) with concentrations in Marketing, Finance, and Management Policy.
Article last updated: March 2026
Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including SEC filings, official company press releases, and reputable news outlets. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.