Ashley Buchanan, a well-known name in the American retail industry, has become a central figure at Kohl’s Corporation as both a leader and a significant shareholder. As of April 2, 2025, Buchanan’s estimated net worth stands at $11.1 million, based solely on publicly reported holdings in Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS). With no insider trades recorded since 2021, Buchanan has maintained a steady position in the company—signaling long-term confidence in Kohl’s future despite industry shifts.
Ashley Buchanan’s Estimated Net Worth: $11.1 Million in KSS Shares
According to recent SEC filings, Ashley Buchanan currently owns around 1.3 million shares of Kohl’s stock. With KSS trading at values that reflect a market-based estimate of approximately $11.1 million, this figure places Buchanan among the top equity stakeholders within the company.
It’s important to note that this net worth estimate is not a complete reflection of Buchanan’s overall financial standing. It only accounts for holdings that are publicly disclosed through regulatory filings, specifically with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any additional investments, assets, private holdings, real estate, or retirement funds are not part of this calculation.
A Quiet Insider: No Trades Since 2021
Unlike some of the other corporate insiders at Kohl’s, Buchanan has remained inactive in terms of stock transactions. According to public records, Ashley Buchanan has not filed any insider trades in KSS stock since 2021. This stands in contrast to other executives who have bought or sold shares during the same time frame.
Since 2021:
- 6 insider trades have been reported at Kohl’s.
- A total of 130,913 shares were bought, while 20,194 shares were sold.
- The most recent insider trade occurred on January 3, 2025, when Siobhan Mc Feeney, Senior EVP & Chief Technology & Digital Officer, sold 3,827 shares.
Buchanan’s decision to hold onto his shares may suggest a long-term vision for the company and a belief in its ongoing transformation efforts. His consistent stake also reflects a strategic approach rather than short-term trading behavior.
Professional Background: From Walmart to Kohl’s CEO
Ashley Buchanan took on the role of CEO at Kohl’s during a critical restructuring period in the retail giant’s history. Before joining Kohl’s, Buchanan had a long-standing career at Walmart, where he served as the Chief Merchandising Officer for Sam’s Club, the warehouse retail division.
During his time at Walmart, he was widely recognized for:
- Enhancing private label brand development.
- Driving digital transformation within merchandising.
- Leading initiatives that blended in-store and online customer experiences.
His move to Kohl’s was viewed as a strategic attempt to bring that same innovation to the traditional department store space. Since stepping into leadership at Kohl’s, Buchanan has focused on:
- Expanding omnichannel shopping options.
- Rolling out store-in-store partnerships, notably with Sephora.
- Modernizing product lines and optimizing inventory.
Age, Education, and Family Life
As of 2025, Ashley Buchanan is in his late 40s to early 50s. A native of Texas, Buchanan attended Baylor University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. He later pursued an MBA from the University of Tulsa, which helped shape his trajectory in corporate strategy and retail operations.
Although Buchanan is frequently in the public eye as a corporate executive, he maintains a relatively private family life. He is known to be married and has children, but he rarely shares personal details in interviews or public forums. His focus has remained firmly on business leadership and company performance.
Current Role and Long-Term Vision
Ashley Buchanan’s time at Kohl’s has been defined by transformation. Since taking over as CEO, he’s worked to reshape the brand’s identity and competitive edge. His leadership strategy focuses on:
- Attracting younger consumers.
- Expanding e-commerce logistics.
- Streamlining operations and reducing in-store footprint inefficiencies.
With Kohl’s facing competition from online retailers and big-box chains, Buchanan has emphasized value-based pricing, brand diversification, and loyalty incentives to draw customers back into physical stores and the digital marketplace.
The company’s performance has seen periods of volatility due to changing market conditions, but Buchanan’s steady equity position suggests he sees long-term potential in the brand’s revitalization.
Caveats and Disclosure Limitations
While Buchanan’s estimated net worth is based on publicly available SEC data, there are inherent limitations in these kinds of financial assessments. The figure does not include:
- Cash compensation or bonuses.
- Deferred stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs).
- Private real estate, retirement funds, or trust accounts.
- Any assets owned jointly with family members.
There is also a possibility of reporting inaccuracies due to:
- Delayed filings.
- Misclassification of indirect ownership.
- Errors in data parsing or processing.
Therefore, while $11.1 million represents a solid estimate, the actual net worth could be higher or lower depending on private financial variables not publicly disclosed.
