Target COO, chief engagement officer to retire

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
October 23, 2023

Target Corp has announced the retirements of two executives: John Mulligan, EVP and chief operating officer, and Laysha Ward, EVP and chief external engagement officer.

Mulligan will remain in his role until February 2024, at which time he will transition to a strategic advisor role with the company until February 2025, with Ward transitioning into an advisor role through April 2024.

The U.S. retailer said it will share additional information on its succession plans for Mulligan prior to his official retirement.

Mulligan joined Target in 1996 as a financial analyst. During his tenure, he has held a variety of leadership positions in finance, digital and human resources, including chief financial officer from 2012 to 2015. Notably, Mulligan served as interim president and CEO of Target in 2014, before being promoted to his current role in 2015.

Another Target veteran, Ward spent more than two decades leading corporate responsibility and the Target Foundation. During that time, she helped pioneer Target’s partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the establishment of St. Jude Target House I and II, which provide free housing and support to families whose children are receiving in-patient cancer treatment, and led the organization’s $1 billion pledge to education.

“On behalf of the entire Target team, I want to thank John and Laysha for the tremendous impact they’ve had on our team and business during their impressive careers with the company,” said Brian Cornell, chair and CEO.

“I look forward to working closely with John until his retirement in 2025 and appreciate the important role he’ll play in setting his successor up for success, and I wish Laysha the very best as she prepares to embark on her next chapter.”

Coinciding with the retirements, Target also announced that Matt Zabel has been named chief corporate affairs officer, reporting to Cornell.

Additionally, Kiera Fernandez has been promoted to EVP and chief community impact and equity officer. Fernandez will be a member of Target’s leadership team and report to Zabel. In her new role, she will assume external stakeholder engagement, and have oversight of the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and corporate philanthropy efforts.