Kohl’s CEO Gass will receive ‘Visionary’ award
The National Retail Federation will honor Kohl’s Corp. CEO Michelle Gass as “The Visionary,” an award given annually to an outstanding leader in retail.
Gass was chosen “for her success in driving momentum in the Kohl’s business and fostering a culture of innovation and inspiration among Kohl’s associates,” the federation said Wednesday in announcing the award.
The organization cited Gass’ leadership in making Kohl’s a destination for active and wellness merchandise, the launching of a new loyalty program, and the forging of new partnerships, including the company’s much-watched alliance with digital retailing rival Amazon.
After testing the concept for nearly two years, Kohl’s this week began accepting returns from Amazon customers throughout the Menomonee Fallsbased firm’s nationwide chain of about 1,150 department stores.
“In today’s competitive and evolving retail landscape, companies need leaders who are willing to take risks to make more meaningful, personal connections with their customers,” federation resident and CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement. “Michelle has cultivated an environment at Kohl’s where risk-taking is encouraged, which has never been more important than in today’s dynamic retail environment.”
Gass will receive the award at the sixth annual NRF Foundation Honors on Jan. 12 in New York City.
Former recipients include Nike Inc. chairman, president and CEO Mark Parker; Walmart Inc. president and CEO Doug McMillon; and Levi Strauss & Co. president and CEO Chip Bergh.
Gass joined Kohl’s in 2015 as chief merchandising and customer officer, coming to the company from Starbucks. She became CEO in May 2018.