Executive established Walgreens as a digital innovator

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. – Sona Chawla, president of digital and chief marketing officer at Walgreen Co., has been named chief operating officer at Kohl’s Department Stores.

Sona Chawla

She will join Kohl’s November 30 and will report directly to Kohl’s chairman, chief executive officer and president Kevin Mansell in the newly created position.

In making the announcement on Tuesday, Kohl’s said that Chawla will have leadership responsibility for its full omnichannel operations. She will oversee all store operations, logistics and supply chain network, information and digital technology, e-commerce strategy, planning and operations, and store construction and design.

“The search for this role has been exhaustive and dynamic,” said Mansell. “As our future vision for Kohl’s developed under our Greatness Agenda, the search for this role dramatically evolved. We saw an enormous opportunity to create something truly unique in retail — a leader that has oversight for the full omnichannel experience. When stores, online and digital teams are not just compatible but truly integrated, new thinking and new ways of delivering a seamless customer experience emerge.”

In commenting on her appointment, Chawla said that “today’s retail customer expects conveniences that make shopping easier and more inspiring, no matter where or how they shop. Kohl’s Greatness Agenda has set the strategic framework in place for the company to deliver a truly compelling and engaging shopping experience in-store, online and across digital devices. I’m thrilled to be part of the bright future at Kohl’s.”

Before joining Kohl’s, Chawla spent seven years with Walgreens in a variety of senior leadership roles including president of e-commerce. During her tenure at Walgreens, Chawla led a team responsible for developing industry-leading digital innovations that significantly enhanced core aspects of the company’s customer experience such as refilling prescriptions in seconds; printing photos from smartphones directly to stores; enabling seamless shopping through the integration of their loyalty program, coupons and mobile payments in store; and launching digital health coaching and telehealth.

A spokeswoman for Walgreens said the chain drug retailer “will certainly miss Sona, her powerful voice on our executive team and her tremendous leadership in establishing Walgreens as a digital innovator in the retail industry. She established us as the top drug store retailer on social media in customer engagement and reach.”