C-suite changes continue at Kohl’s
Kohl’s Corp. has named an executive from a global sporting goods giant as its new chief digital officer.
The department store retailer appointed Arianne Parisi as chief digital officer, beginning July 28, 2025. In this role, Parisi will be responsible for driving Kohl’s online and mobile digital business and supporting a broader business focus on enhancing the omnichannel customer experience.
Parisi, who will report directly to interim CEO Michael Bender, has 20 years of experience in retail including 13 years in digital leadership roles. Most recently, she served as chief digital officer for U.K.-based global sports fashion and outdoor retailer JD Sports Fashion Plc.
Previous digital roles include serving as senior VP of digital operations and customer experience at The Finish Line and director of e-commerce at Nordstrom. Prior to her digital positions, Parisi was in merchandising at The Sports Authority.
Parisi is stepping in following the departure of Kohl’s previous chief digital officer, Siobhán Mc Feeney, in April 2025. In other c-suite shakeups, Kohl’s terminated former CEO Ashley Buchanan for cause in April 2025 after an investigation found that he violated company policies “by directing Kohl’s to engage in vendor transactions that involved undisclosed conflicts of interest.”
Buchanan took the reins of Kohl’s in January, succeeding Tom Kingsbury, who decided to retire. Upon his termination, Kohl’s appointed Michael Bender as interim chief. Bender has served as a director of the board since July 2019 and was appointed board chair in May 2024. Kohl’s said it would initiate a search to identify a permanent CEO.
"We are excited for Arianne to join Kohl's," said Bender. "Arianne's deep experience leading digital teams at omnichannel retailers will allow her to hit the ground running and help us in our efforts to enhance our customers’ experience whenever they shop with us, strengthen the total business, and improve, simplify, and drive the digital experience. Her focus on driving results while also supporting and developing high-performing teams makes her a great fit for the Kohl's team."
Since that time, Kohl’s announced it plans to refinance with a $360 million offering of new senior secured notes. The company also reported a narrower-than-expected loss for the quarter ended May 3, 2025 and reaffirmed its outlook based on early signs of progress in its turnaround plan.
[READ MORE: Kohl’s narrows loss, beats Street]
Elements of that plan include doubling down on proprietary brands and increasing its focus on fine jewelry, home decor, petites, impulse items and Sephora beauty departments. The retailer also finished the roll out of its Sephora shop-in-shops during spring 2025 with the opening of some 105 shops.
"As the pace of retail transformation accelerates, Kohl's can uniquely serve today's families," said Parisi. "I'm honored to join and support our incredible teams as we enhance the digital experience for our 60 million customers, creating a seamless, inspiring, and personalized journey that reflects how they shop and live today."
Parisi holds a bachelor's of science from Ithaca College.
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl's operates more than 1,100 stores in 49 states.