Chandra Holt is an accomplished American retail executive and entrepreneur whose name recently surged into headlines due to her connection to the dramatic firing of Kohl’s CEO Ashley Buchanan. With a career spanning major corporations and a rising personal venture, Holt’s journey reveals the complex intersections of business leadership, innovation, and controversy.
Career Highlights
Early Career and Retail Leadership
Chandra Holt has held leadership roles at some of the biggest names in U.S. retail, including:
- Walmart – where she led initiatives focused on merchandising and e-commerce;
- Target and Sam’s Club – contributing to product strategy and growth;
- Conn’s HomePlus – where she served as CEO in 2021, overseeing merchandising, marketing, and technology;
- Beyond, Inc. (Bed Bath & Beyond / Overstock.com) – appointed CEO from February to June 2024, managing the company during its corporate transition.
Entrepreneurial Move: Incredibrew
In 2022, Holt launched Incredibrew, a health-focused coffee brand infusing beverages with vitamins and minerals, targeting health-conscious consumers. The company reportedly generated over $700,000 in sales within its first 100 days, signaling Holt’s keen market sense and innovation.
Education
Holt holds a Bachelor’s degree in advertising, public relations, and communications from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and earned her MBA in strategy and marketing from the Carlson School of Management.
The Kohl’s Controversy
The controversy erupted when Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Kohl’s, was fired in May 2025 following an internal investigation. Buchanan allegedly directed Kohl’s to enter multimillion-dollar deals with Incredibrew—without disclosing his prior personal connection to Holt.
Although Holt has publicly stated, “I’ve known Ashley Buchanan for 10 years, but I have not received any compensation for my Incredibrew business from Kohl’s,” the incident has spotlighted issues of corporate ethics and vendor relationships.
Estimated Net Worth
While exact numbers are not public, Holt’s net worth is estimated in the multi-million-dollar range, driven by her executive earnings and the early success of Incredibrew.
Achievements
- Led major retail companies through growth and transformation;
- Founded a startup that quickly gained traction in the functional beverage space;
- Positioned herself as an influential figure in the evolving retail and consumer goods landscape.
