Ashley Buchanan Biography – Explore Ashley Buchanan’s 2025 biography, from his Kohl’s CEO termination to retail legacy. Discover his net worth, quotes, early life, and family.
Ashley Buchanan, born James Ashley Buchanan, is an American business executive known for his leadership roles at Kohl’s, The Michaels Companies, and Walmart. Appointed Kohl’s CEO on January 15, 2025, he was terminated on May 1, 2025, for violating company policies involving undisclosed conflicts of interest in vendor transactions.
A Baylor University graduate, Buchanan led The Michaels Companies as CEO (2020–2024) through a $5 billion privatization by Apollo Global Management and held senior roles at Walmart for 13 years. His brief Kohl’s tenure aimed to reverse declining sales. This biography covers his net worth, age, quotes, early life, education, accomplishments, family, career achievements, and awards as of May 1, 2025.
Ashley Buchanan Biography
Ashley Buchanan’s biography is a story of retail innovation and unexpected setbacks. Born in 1974 and navigating a high-profile exit at 51, he aimed to revitalize Kohl’s before his May 2025 termination. From Texas roots to leading major retailers, Buchanan’s career reflects ambition and scrutiny. This article traces his journey, highlighting his 2025 challenges.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ashley Buchanan |
| Date of Birth | 1974 |
| Place of Birth | Mount Pleasant, Texas, USA |
| Education | – Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Real Estate, Baylor University (1996)- Master of Business Administration, Baylor University (1998) |
| Early Career | – Began career at Bank of America in 1996- Worked as a retail consultant at Accenture (1996–2004)- Finance manager at Dell Computers (2004–2007) |
| Walmart (2007–2020) | – Joined Walmart in 2007- Held various leadership roles, including: – Chief Merchant at Sam’s Club (2017) – Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Walmart U.S. eCommerce (2019) |
| The Michaels Companies (2020–2025) | – Appointed President and CEO Designate in January 2020; became CEO on April 1, 2020- Led the company through significant transformation, including digital expansion and merchandising simplification- Stepped down effective January 15, 2025 |
| Kohl’s (January–May 2025) | – Appointed CEO of Kohl’s, effective January 15, 2025- Dismissed on May 1, 2025, following an internal investigation that revealed policy violations involving undisclosed conflicts of interest in vendor transactions |
| Other Roles | – Appointed to Macy’s, Inc. Board of Directors on October 5, 2021- Served as an independent director on the board of TreeHouse Foods |
| Personal Life | – Married to Lesley; the couple has three daughters- Divorce proceedings initiated in 2022; current status unknown- Involved in a romantic relationship with Chandra Holt, CEO of a coffee startup, Incredibrew |
Key Takeaways
- Terminated as Kohl’s CEO on May 1, 2025, for undisclosed conflicts of interest.
- Led The Michaels Companies through a $5 billion privatization by Apollo in 2021.
- Oversaw Walmart’s e-commerce growth as COO and Sam’s Club merchandising.
Early Life: Texas Upbringing
Born in 1974 in Mount Pleasant, Texas, James Ashley Buchanan was the eldest of three children of Patricia (Patti) and James Buchanan, a businessman. Raised in a close-knit family, he developed an interest in sports, playing NCAA Division I tennis at Baylor University. His Texas roots shaped his work ethic and community focus.
Education: Baylor Business
Buchanan earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Real Estate from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business in 1996, followed by an MBA in 1998. His tennis career at Baylor honed his competitive drive, while his finance training laid the groundwork for retail leadership.
Career: Retail Transformation
Early Career
Buchanan began at Bank of America in 1996, then joined Accenture, focusing on retail consulting. At Dell (2004–2007), he held finance roles, sharpening his operational skills, before joining Walmart in 2007.
Walmart and Sam’s Club
Over 13 years at Walmart, Buchanan rose to Chief Merchandising and Chief Operating Officer for U.S. e-commerce, driving digital growth. As Sam’s Club Chief Merchant, he streamlined merchandising, enhanced private brands, and optimized supply chains. His e-commerce leadership positioned Walmart as a competitor to Amazon.
Michaels and Kohl’s
As CEO of The Michaels Companies (2020–2024), Buchanan improved profitability, grew e-commerce, and introduced smaller store formats, leading to a $5 billion privatization by Apollo Global Management in 2021. Appointed Kohl’s CEO on January 15, 2025, he cut 10% of corporate staff to boost profitability but was fired on May 1, 2025, after a board investigation found undisclosed vendor conflicts.
Net Worth: Retail Earnings
Buchanan’s net worth is estimated at $10–20 million in 2025, from executive salaries, bonuses, and investments. His $20 million Kohl’s compensation package, including stock awards, was double his predecessor’s. Claims of $50M are unverified.
Quotes: Retail Vision
Buchanan’s quotes include:
- “The concept of Affordable Indulgence is gaining traction” (2024)
- “Innovation is only worthwhile if it’s what the consumer wants” (2024)
- “We simplified merchandising strategy” (2020)
Accomplishments: Industry Impact
Buchanan grew Michaels’ digital business, simplified Walmart’s Sam’s Club offerings, and led Kohl’s workforce reduction. His privatization of Michaels and e-commerce strategies at Walmart earned industry praise. He championed omnichannel retail throughout his career.
Family: Texas Ties
Son of Patti and James Buchanan, Ashley is married with three children. His family resides in Texas, maintaining close ties to Mount Pleasant. Details about his spouse remain private.
Awards and Recognition
Buchanan has no formal awards but was recognized as a retail innovator at NRF 2025. His leadership at Michaels and Walmart earned praise from retail analysts and industry observers.
Buchanan in 2025: A Sudden Exit
On May 1, 2025, Kohl’s terminated Buchanan for directing vendor transactions with undisclosed conflicts. Michael Bender was named interim CEO, and a search for a permanent replacement began. Buchanan’s next steps are currently unknown, and he has made no public statement since his departure.
Conclusion: A Complex Legacy
Ashley Buchanan’s biography reflects retail expertise and ethical challenges. From a $10–20M net worth to leading Michaels’ privatization, his 2025 Kohl’s firing marks a setback. At 51, Buchanan’s resilience may shape his next chapter. His story underscores the demands of retail leadership.
FAQs About Ashley Buchanan
What is Ashley Buchanan’s most famous quote?
“The concept of Affordable Indulgence is gaining traction” (2024) reflects his retail vision.
Where did Ashley Buchanan grow up?
Born and raised in Mount Pleasant, Texas.
What are Ashley Buchanan’s major accomplishments?
Led Michaels’ $5B privatization, grew Walmart e-commerce, reduced Kohl’s workforce.
What is Ashley Buchanan’s net worth?
Estimated at $10–20M in 2025, from salaries and investments.
Why was Ashley Buchanan fired in 2025?
Terminated for undisclosed conflicts of interest in vendor transactions.
