News Summary
Ashley Buchanan has been fired as the CEO of Kohl’s just months into his tenure, due to a romantic conflict of interest involving a significant vendor contract with his partner, Chandra Holt. This incident has raised eyebrows and prompted an internal investigation leading to Buchanan’s termination. Holt also faced repercussions, losing her advisory role at BCG. The situation underscores serious concerns about governance and conflict of interest in corporate structures.
Former Kohl’s CEO Ashley Buchanan Fired Amid Romantic Scandal
On a surprising Thursday, Ashley Buchanan was fired from his role as CEO of Kohl’s, just months into his tenure that began in January 2023. The ousting was primarily due to a romantic conflict of interest involving a “highly unusual multimillion-dollar contract” with Chandra Holt, his romantic partner.
The Coffee Startup Controversy
Chandra Holt, who is 44 years old, is the founder of a coffee startup called IncrediBrew. Notably, only days before the scandal erupted, Buchanan shared a LinkedIn video featuring Holt in which she discussed the benefits of her collagen-infused coffee. This post raised eyebrows when Buchanan failed to remove it even as news of his impending dismissal started to circulate.
Investigation and Fallout
Following an internal investigation, Kohl’s board discovered that Buchanan violated company policies by failing to disclose his relationship with Holt while pushing for vendor transactions with her company. As a result, the board terminated Buchanan’s employment “for cause,” which means that he will forfeit all equity awards and bonuses earned during his time at Kohl’s. In addition, he is required to reimburse a $2.5 million signing bonus on a pro-rated basis.
Impact on Holt and BCG
Chandra Holt wasn’t spared from the fallout either. She was also fired from her advisory position at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which had a working contract with Kohl’s. BCG expressed their shock at learning about the personal relationship between Holt and Buchanan and stated their commitment to strict guidelines for conflict of interest disclosures.
Past Connections Come to Light
The duo’s relationship isn’t a new one; they have a history together from their time at Walmart, where they both held significant roles. Noteworthy is that they have been living together in an upscale Dallas golf community, a detail that adds another layer to this unfolding drama. Holt had made a brief stint as CEO of Conn’s HomePlus, a position that ended with the company going bankrupt, before she joined BCG.
Legal Ramifications Ahead?
As if the controversy couldn’t get more complicated, legal experts have started to weigh in on potential repercussions for Buchanan. He may face serious legal challenges for not disclosing these conflict of interest situations, which could even be in violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This Act is designed to protect shareholders’ interests and is taken very seriously in corporate governance.
Company Performance Misconceptions
Kohl’s was quick to clarify that Buchanan’s firing had nothing to do with the company’s overall performance or any related issues among other employees. Nevertheless, the scandal raises questions about governance practices and ethical responsibilities at major corporations. The consulting agreement tied to Buchanan remains unnamed in Kohl’s regulatory filings, although it has been linked to BCG.
The Road Ahead
With such a dramatic turn of events, it’s unclear what the future holds for both Buchanan and Holt. Their professional and personal lives have become intertwined in a way that could have lasting implications. Whether or not additional consequences will emerge remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this is a high-stakes affair that has rattled the corporate world.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- NBC News
- Wikipedia: Ashley Buchanan
- Wall Street Journal
- Google Search: Kohls CEO Ashley Buchanan
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kohls
- New York Times
- Google Scholar: Kohls scandal
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
