Chandra Holt’s journey from Walmart exec to Incredibrew CEO is now under scrutiny amid a Kohl’s vendor controversy

Once celebrated as a visionary leader in the American retail landscape, Chandra Holt’s name is now tangled in headlines for reasons far removed from her corporate triumphs. Her journey from a high-ranking Walmart executive to the CEO of Conn’s HomePlus, and later Bed Bath & Beyond (under Beyond Inc.), is one of meteoric ascent — and now, a story marked by shadows of scrutiny and suspicion.

From Corporate Promise to Executive Powerhouse

Chandra Holt’s trajectory is nothing short of inspiring. A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a background in advertising, PR, and strategic marketing, Holt didn’t just climb the corporate ladder — she reshaped it. She joined Walmart in 2015, where her blend of innovation and execution caught attention. By the time she left in 2021, she had risen to the level of Executive Vice President of U.S. eCommerce, overseeing the backbone of Walmart’s digital transformation.

Her next leap was to Conn’s HomePlus, where she was appointed CEO. The timing couldn’t have been more turbulent — the retail sector was still reeling from post-pandemic shifts and inflationary pressure. Despite her efforts, Conn’s saw a 23% revenue decline, leading to her departure in 2022. Still, her leadership was marked by attempts to modernize operations and rebrand the company’s image.

In 2024, Holt briefly took the helm of Bed Bath & Beyond, under Beyond Inc., during a time of internal restructuring. Though her stint lasted only four months, it symbolized her continued relevance in the retail space.

But then came the turn no one expected.

The Allegations That Shook a Legacy

In early 2025, Holt’s name resurfaced — this time not in a press release announcing a new role, but in an investigative report. Her former Walmart colleague and rumored past partner, Ashley Buchanan, had just been ousted from his role as CEO of Kohl’s, following allegations of misconduct involving a vendor deal laced with conflict of interest.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the unnamed vendor at the center of the controversy was none other than Chandra Holt, now founder and CEO of a wellness coffee brand, Incredibrew. The company, launched in 2022, specializes in vitamin-infused beverages positioned as health-forward alternatives to traditional coffee.

Kohl’s board claimed Buchanan failed to disclose key conflicts when approving business dealings with the vendor. While Kohl’s did not officially name Holt or Incredibrew, the insinuation was clear, and the media quickly connected the dots.

Holt, for her part, denied any wrongdoing, saying,

“I’ve known Ashley Buchanan for 10 years, but I have not received any compensation for my Incredibrew business from Kohl’s.”

Still, the silence from Kohl’s and the broader retail community spoke volumes. It wasn’t an indictment — but it was an implication.

A Deeper Look: Gender, Power, and Perception

What makes this situation especially complex is not just the alleged ethical lapse, but the intersection of gender and corporate power. Holt, as a female executive in a male-dominated field, was always subject to a double lens — praised for her ambition, yet judged more harshly for any missteps.

Was this a case of blurred personal and professional lines? Or is Holt, like many women before her, becoming collateral damage in a game of executive politics? The absence of formal charges hasn’t stopped the reputational damage. The court of public opinion, especially in the digital age, often moves faster than legal due process.

And yet, the questions linger:

• Did Buchanan misuse his position to favor a personal connection?
• Was Holt truly unaware of any contractual benefit?
• Why is the scrutiny focused more intensely on Holt, whose business may not have even profited from the arrangement?

In the broader narrative of corporate America, stories like these reveal how success, perception, and association can become dangerously entangled.

The Road Ahead

For Chandra Holt, the future is uncertain. She remains the CEO of Incredibrew — a brand with potential, now clouded by controversy. Whether she can navigate this storm, rebuild trust, and reclaim her position in the industry will depend not just on facts, but on how the story unfolds publicly.

One thing is clear: Holt’s story is no longer just about corporate growth or market strategy. It’s about resilience. It’s about how leaders respond not only to failure or criticism but to character challenges that test their very legacy.

As the investigations progress and more details emerge, the retail industry — and perhaps women in leadership more broadly — will be watching closely. Because in many ways, Chandra Holt’s story is a mirror of the systemic challenges and expectations placed on female executives — a mix of brilliance, burden, and the ever-present threat of being caught in someone else’s scandal.

FAQs