Mirror Review
November 25, 2025
Michael Bender is now at the center of one of America’s biggest retail transformations.
Kohl’s appointed Michael J. Bender as its new Chief Executive Officer on November 23, 2025, after he served as interim CEO for six months.
The board made the decision unanimously, noting his ability to stabilize operations, improve culture, and lead the omnichannel strategy during a challenging year.
Board Chair John Schlifske said Bender “proved to be an exceptional leader” and that his mix of retail and consumer-goods experience makes him the right person to drive “long-term strategy and transformation.”
With Kohl’s preparing to announce its Q3 results and accelerate its turnaround plan, many readers want to know who Michael Bender really is beyond the press release. His resume is long, his leadership results are real, and his influence across U.S. retail spans decades.
But several lesser-known facts reveal why his appointment could reshape Kohl’s future in meaningful ways.
Below are ten insights that help explain the leader who now carries the responsibility of reestablishing Kohl’s position in the retail landscape.
10 Interesting Michael Bender Facts: New Kohl’s CEO
1. He is one of the few CEOs with deep experience across both online and physical retail
Michael Bender spent nearly a decade at Walmart, where he ran the Walmart West business and later became Chief Operating Officer of Global eCommerce.
This dual experience is rare in retail leadership and positions him to strengthen Kohl’s omnichannel performance, which now defines customer expectations.
2. His early career in PepsiCo shaped his operations-first mindset
Before leading retail giants, Bender spent more than 13 years at PepsiCo in sales, finance, and operations. This built his analytical style and strong supply-chain thinking.
Kohl’s relies heavily on inventory flow and everyday value, and this background suggests he will take a data-led approach to store profitability.
3. He already understands Kohl’s culture from the inside
While many CEOs enter from outside, Michael Bender joined Kohl’s Board in 2019. He also served as Board Chair from 2024 to 2025.
This means he knows the company’s internal challenges, financial pressures, and team dynamics better than almost any external candidate the board could have hired.
4. He has led a successful turnaround at Eyemart Express
At Eyemart Express, Bender oversaw a high-growth, high-volume optical chain. He focused on operational discipline, pricing strategy, and customer experience.
Analysts believe he may bring similar transformation playbooks to Kohl’s, including tighter cost controls and accelerated store-level execution.
5. He played a key role in Walmart’s regional expansion strategy
Michael Bender once led Walmart’s West business unit, overseeing one of the company’s most complex multi-state operations.
Managing thousands of employees in varied markets gave him skills essential for running Kohl’s 1,100-store footprint.
6. He is known for rebuilding internal morale during transitions
During his interim CEO period, Kohl’s Board praised his cultural-impact efforts.
Retail insiders say this skill is critical because Kohl’s workforce includes nearly 100,000 associates navigating operational change.
His leadership style focuses on transparency, collaboration, and consistency.
7. He has guided companies through large-scale digital shifts
From Walmart eCommerce to advisory roles at Flexe and Wunderkind, Bender has helped companies rethink logistics, personalization, and digital experience.
Kohl’s has struggled to keep pace in e-commerce growth, and his experience suggests a major push in online experience and supply-chain modernization.
8. He is one of the few CEOs with governance experience across six boards
His board roles across Acuity Brands, Included Health, Spotless Brands, Wawa, Flexe, and more show his expertise beyond retail.
This network exposes him to trends in healthcare, logistics, consumer behavior, branding, and technology, which could influence Kohl’s next phase of strategy.
9. His education journey reflects both discipline and creativity
Michael Bender holds an MBA from Northwestern Kellogg and a BA in Economics from Stanford, but he was also part of Stanford’s Gospel Choir and Kellogg’s Special K Revue.
This blend of business and creative influence often results in people-first leadership traits and the ability to communicate clearly during change.
10. He is likely to prioritize Kohl’s return to value-focused retailing
Based on his track record, analysts expect Bender to:
- Tighten operational efficiency
- Rebuild store relevance
- Strengthen the digital-to-store connection
- Focus on family value segments
- Expand loyalty and personalization initiatives
His public statement reinforces this direction. “I’m looking forward to reestablishing our leadership position by putting our customers first every day,” he said. This signals a return to the core identity Kohl’s was built on.
What This Means for Kohl’s Next Phase
Michael Bender steps in at a crucial time. Retail is shifting quickly as consumers shop across channels, prioritize value, and expect faster fulfillment.
Kohl’s needs a leader who can combine store experience, digital knowledge, and operational rigor. Bender’s background points to a likely transformation centered on customer experience, simplified operations, and competitive pricing.
His appointment also brings stability after a period of uncertainty.
Conclusion
Michael Bender begins his CEO role with decades of retail experience, a clear understanding of Kohl’s culture, and a history of navigating large-scale change.
These ten lesser-known Michael Bender facts show why he is positioned to guide the company through its next transformation.
As Kohl’s leans into omnichannel strategy, store-level improvements, and customer-first value, his leadership will shape how the retailer competes in the years ahead.
