Michelle Gass, who assumed the role of Kohl’s CEO last May 2018, remains committed to the department store’s Greatness Agenda built on five pillars: amazing product, incredible savings, easy experience, personalized connections and winning teams.
“We’re going through a transformative time in retail, and I believe that Kohl’s is uniquely positioned to lead the charge,” Gass said in May. “In the last five years, we’ve invested to remake Kohl’s for a new era and to ensure that we stay ahead among retailers.”
The Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based company will continue to invest in omnichannel and technology capabilities, the store experience and portfolio, its new loyalty program and personalization, inventory management and localization, new brands and categories, its speed to market, “and most importantly, our talent.”
“And beyond this, there are many exciting initiatives that are incubating and being contemplated to keep our customers interested and engaged for years to come,” Gass said.
Gass joined Kohl’s in 2013 as chief customer officer and in 2014 was an integral leader of the creation of Kohl’s Greatness Agenda. In 2015 she was named chief merchandising officer, and was instrumental in the company’s launch of Under Armour products and its collaborations with Amazon. In 2017 Gass was promoted to CEO-elect, being groomed to replace retiring CEO Kevin Mansel.
In August, Homeworld Business named Gass as one of its “Players,” people to watch in housewares during the next 12 months.
“Gass is viewed as the key figure in Kohl’s resurgence in recent years,” Homeworld Business wrote. “What steps she takes to further drive store traffic while utilizing its e-commerce outlet for those who prefer to shop at home will be watched by many in the year ahead.”
Prior to Kohl’s, Gass spent more than 16 years with Starbucks Corp. holding a variety of leadership roles across marketing, global strategy and merchandising, including president, Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa, overseeing and growing the company’s 1,900 owned and licensed store operations across the region. Gass has more than 25 years of experience in the retail and consumer goods industries.
She’s No. 146 on Chief Executive and RHR International’s CEO1000 Tracker, a ranking of the top 1,000 public/private companies.
Headquarters: Menomonee Falls, WI
Age: 50
Education: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (B.S.), University of Washington (MBA)
First joined company: 2013
Positions prior to being named CEO: Chief merchandising and customer officer
Named CEO: 2018
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
0
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
