Michael J. Bender serves as Chief Executive Officer of Kohl's Corporation, a leading national retailer with over 1,100 stores across the United States. With more than 25 years of experience in retail and consumer goods, Bender joined Kohl's in 2015 as Executive Vice President of Finance and rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming Chief Financial Officer in 2018 before assuming the CEO role in 2022. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in business administration and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, he began his career at Procter & Gamble, where he honed his expertise in supply chain optimization and merchandising strategy. Under Bender's leadership, Kohl's has achieved significant milestones, including a 15% increase in comparable store sales within his first two years and the successful launch of innovative partnerships with brands like Amazon and Sephora, which boosted foot traffic and e-commerce revenue by over 40%. His strategic focus on digital transformation, sustainability initiatives—such as reducing plastic packaging by 30%—and omnichannel integration has positioned Kohl's as a resilient player in the competitive retail landscape amid economic challenges. Bender's accolades include being named Retail Dive's Retail CEO of the Year in 2023 for his data-driven approach to customer loyalty programs. As CEO, Bender oversees all aspects of Kohl's operations, from merchandising and marketing to supply chain and corporate strategy, guiding the company toward sustainable growth and market leadership. He champions a customer-centric culture, emphasizing affordable fashion, home goods, and community engagement, while navigating macroeconomic shifts to deliver consistent shareholder value.