When Ashley Buchanan accepted a lucrative offer to be Kohl's CEO in January, the company's chairman lauded him as "the ideal candidate." Less than four months later, Buchanan was unceremoniously fired by the Kohl's board of directors.

Buchanan had a total compensation package worth more than $20 million, making him one of the highest-paid executives in Wisconsin.

Department store chain Kohl’s announced shocking news on May 1, 2025, when it confirmed that its CEO, Ashley Buchanan, had been fired. The exec had only been in the position for five months before he was let go.