02-05-2025
Who Is Chandra Holt, At The Centre Of Controversy In Kohl's CEO Firing?
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Headlines have shifted from Chandra Holt's professional achievements to her personal ties -- specifically her undisclosed relationship with now-ousted Kohl's CEO Ashley Buchanan.
Chandra Holt, 44, a seasoned American retail executive with stints at Walmart, Conn's, and Bed Bath & Beyond, has recently found herself at the centre of a corporate storm. A graduate of the University of Minnesota with an MBA, Holt built her reputation through roles in e-commerce innovation and merchandising leadership. But now, headlines have shifted from her professional achievements to her personal ties — specifically her undisclosed relationship with now-ousted Kohl's CEO Ashley Buchanan.
Buchanan had only recently taken on the CEO role at Kohl's, accepting the position in January. But in a dramatic move less than four months later, he was shown the door. According to The Wall Street Journal, the board was alarmed by 'highly unusual terms" in a multi-million-dollar deal he had approved. The contract was awarded to a team reportedly led by none other than Chandra Holt — his undisclosed romantic partner. The combination of the secret relationship and the deal raised red flags, leading to Buchanan's abrupt dismissal.
Chandra Holt's Career and the Jonas Brothers Twist
Before this controversy, Holt was navigating her own career transitions. Her time as CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond was short-lived, ending during a 2024 leadership shakeup at its successor company, Beyond, Inc. Shortly thereafter, she ventured into entrepreneurship, founding Incredibrew, a startup offering coffee pods infused with protein, vitamins, and collagen.
The fallout didn't end with Buchanan's firing. Holt's contract with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) was also terminated after the firm said it was blindsided by the revelation of her relationship with Buchanan. In a statement to Journal Sentinel, a BCG spokesperson said, 'We were shocked to learn of the relationship between Chandra Holt and Ashley Buchanan," citing non-disclosure as the key reason for ending the engagement.
First Published:
May 02, 2025, 13:09 IST
