Former Northwestern Mutual chief executive officer John Schlifske, who has also served on the board for Menomonee Falls-based Kohl’s since 2011 and as board chair since May of 2025, is retiring from the board, the company announced today. He retired as CEO of Northwestern Mutual at the end of 2024.

“It has been an honor to serve Kohl’s and its shareholders for the last 15 years,” said Schlifske. “Kohl’s plays an important and valuable role in retail, serving millions of customers all across the country. Over the past year, the company has focused on strategic improvements and strengthened its foundation to position the business and its shareholders well for years to come.”

The Kohl’s board has selected former Bath & Body Works chief financial officer Wendy Arlin, who joined the Kohl’s board in late 2023, to serve as its new chair, effective immediately. Arlin was CFO for Bath & Body Works from 2021-23. She is also a board member for Wendy’s and WK Kellogg Co.

Arlin has more than three decades of corporate finance and consumer brands industry experience, and held leadership roles at L Brands, Inc. for nearly 20 years. In 2021, L Brands split into Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret & Co. Prior to her role as CFO of Bath & Body Works, Arlin served as senior vice president, finance and corporate controller of L Brands from 2005-21.

“It is a privilege to step into the chair role (for Kohl’s) at a time when the company is undergoing positive change and creating momentum in the business,” Arlin said. “I appreciate my fellow board members for their support and confidence – knowing we hold a shared commitment to the strategic governance of this business and to the shareholders we serve.”

The new board chair is just the latest change to the company’s leadership. In November, Kohl’s named Michael Bender as its permanent chief executive officer. He had previously served as interim CEO since May 1 of 2025, taking over leadership following the ousting of former CEO Ashley Buchanan. Bender had been a member of Kohl’s board since 2019 and served as board chair from May 2024 until he assumed the interim CEO role. That’s when Schlifske was named chairman of the Kohl’s board.

“On behalf of Kohl’s executive team and the board, I want to thank John for his many years of service to Kohl’s business and our board,” said Bender. “During John’s tenure, the retail industry has seen a tremendous amount of change and evolution. John had a unique way of balancing the 60-year history and consumer position that Kohl’s holds with the push for evolution and modernization that consumers expect. He provided a steady and thoughtful voice through challenging years, including the global pandemic, while staying focused on maintaining sound financials and prioritizing shareholder value. I thank him for his collaboration and his support in ensuring a smooth transition for the board.”

“Wendy is a deeply thoughtful and principled director who will excel in leading the board as chair,” said Bender. “With deep financial and retail expertise, Wendy provides valuable perspective to both the board and the management team. She has been a valued voice and a natural leader in the boardroom since joining in 2023, and I look forward to working with her in this new capacity.”

With Schlifske retiring from the Kohl’s board, former Panera Brands CEO and chairman Niren Chaudhary has been named as a new Kohl’s board member. He has more than 30 years of consumer brands experience. As CEO of Panera Brands, he oversaw Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee, and Einstein Bros. Bagels – which included 130,000 associates across nearly 4,000 locations. He was CEO of Panera Bread from 2019 – 21. Prior to that, he was chief operating officer and president, international at Krispy Kreme from 2017-19. Before Krispy Kreme, he had 20 years of leadership roles at Yum! Brands, including global president of KFC, where he oversaw 5,000 restaurants across 50 countries, and president of Yum! India.

“We are pleased to welcome Niren to the board,” said Arlin. “Niren has delivered meaningful transformation at some of the world’s most recognized consumer brands. His experience accelerating digital engagement, building customer loyalty programs at scale, and leading businesses through periods of complex change makes him an excellent addition to our board as we continue executing our strategy to modernize the Kohl’s experience and deliver long-term shareholder value.”

“Kohl’s has a powerful foundation — a loyal customer base, a national footprint, and a brand that genuinely matters to American families,” said Chaudhary. “I am honored to join the board at a time when bold leadership and disciplined execution are shaping its future. I look forward to contributing to that work alongside the talented team driving Kohl’s business forward.”

Kohl’s has more than 1,100 stores in 49 states.