Brian Cornell Biography and Wiki
Brian Cornell is a prominent American business executive who served as chairman and CEO of Target Corporation from 2014, a role he held until February 2026. In August 2025, he shared the news that he would be stepping down as CEO on February 1, 2026, and would transition to the position of executive chairman.
Even after stepping away from the CEO role, Cornell remained an influential figure at Target, continuing his leadership as executive chairman. Additionally, he serves as the non-executive chairman of Yum! Brands.
On August 20, 2025, Target announced that Michael Fiddelke, the company’s COO, would take over as CEO starting February 1, 2026. This leadership change signified the conclusion of Cornell’s impressive tenure as Target’s chief executive, which spanned over a decade.
Brian Cornell Education | College
In 1981, Cornell received his degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In 1991, Cornell enrolled at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Age and Birthday
Brian Cornell Nationality and Ethnicity
What Nationality is Brian Cornell? Cornell is of American nationality by birth. He was born in New York, New York, United States. He is of mixed ethnicity. READ ALSO: Michael Dell
Brian Cornell Parents
From the time he was six years old, Cornell lived without a father and with a heart condition-related welfare recipient for a mother. As a result, Cornell’s maternal grandparents raised him the majority of the time.
Brian Cornell Wife
He is married to Martha Cornell. The couple has two children; a son and a daughter.
Brian Cornell Height
Cornell stands at an average height of 6 inches 0 inches.
Brian Cornell Net Worth
Cornell has an estimated net worth of $80 million.
Brian Cornell Salary
How much does the CEO of Target? More than two-thirds of Cornell’s $19.8 million in total compensation last year came from stock awards. According to Business Journal research based on 2020 compensation, Cornell has been CEO of Target (NYSE: TGT) since 2014. He was the state’s fourth highest-paid public company CEO in 2021.
Brian Cornell Leaving Target CEO (2014- 2026)
Brian Cornell is a prominent American business executive who served as chairman and CEO of Target Corporation in 2014, a role he held until February 2026. In August 2025, he shared the news that he would be stepping down as CEO on February 1, 2026, and would transition to the position of executive chairman.
Even after stepping away from the CEO role, Cornell remained an influential figure at Target, continuing his leadership as executive chairman. Additionally, he serves as the non-executive chairman of Yum! Brands.
On August 20, 2025, Target announced that Michael Fiddelke, the company’s COO, would take over as CEO starting February 1, 2026. This leadership change signified the conclusion of Cornell’s impressive tenure as Target’s chief executive, which spanned over a decade.
As a participant in the market, the company has found success as a cheap-chic brand. In 2000, the parent company changed its name to Target Corporation, and in 2004, it sold off its final department store chains. In the early 2010s, it was hit hard by a sizable, widely reported security breach involving customer credit card information as well as the demise of its short-lived Target Canada subsidiary, but it recovered with the help of its expansion into urban markets in the US.
Seth Klarman and Brian Cornell
Seth Klarman and Brian Cornell are two notable figures in the American business landscape, each making their mark in different sectors. Klarman is a renowned investor and the founder and CEO of Baupost Group, while Cornell has made a name for himself as a seasoned retail executive, having served as the CEO of Target Corporation and later stepping into the role of executive chairman. However, there doesn’t seem to be any significant personal or professional ties between Klarman and Cornell that have been widely reported.
Rupert Murdoch and Brian Cornell
Rupert Murdoch and Brian Cornell are both powerful players in the business world. Murdoch is the mastermind behind a vast media empire, with companies like News Corp and Fox under his belt, while Cornell has dedicated much of his career to the retail sector, notably as chairman and CEO of Target. Despite their impressive leadership roles in American business, there’s no well-documented close relationship between Murdoch and Cornell.
Brian Cornell and Helen Mirren
When it comes to Brian Cornell and Helen Mirren, they hail from completely different realms. Cornell is an American corporate executive recognized for his impactful leadership at Target, whereas Mirren is a celebrated British actress known for her work across film, television, and theater. There doesn’t appear to be any significant personal or professional connection between them that’s publicly known.
Brian Cornell and Jeff Martin
Brian Cornell and Jeff Martin are both linked to the corporate world, but the name Jeff Martin could refer to various executives and public figures. Cornell is primarily known for his role at Target Corporation, but to determine if there’s a professional connection between him and a specific Jeff Martin, we’d need to clarify which individual is being referenced.
Brian Cornell Leadership Style
Cornell’s purpose-driven leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering dedication to his team demonstrate his ability to cut through the clutter and truly comprehend the needs and wants of American families.
Brian Cornell PepsiCo
Prior to joining Target, Cornell held executive positions for more than 30 years at prestigious consumer goods and retail businesses. Former positions include Chief Marketing Officer at Safeway Inc. and CEO of well-known brands like Michaels, Sam’s Club, and PepsiCo Americas Foods, a subsidiary of PepsiCo.
Brian Cornell Career
From 2004 to 2007, Cornell served as Safeway Inc.’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. Between 2008 and 2009, Cornell served on the boards of directors for The Home Depot and OfficeMax, respectively. Cornell has served on the boards of both Polaris Industries and Centerplate. Since September 2015, Cornell has been a member of Yum! Brands’ board of directors. He has served on the board since 2015 and is the chairman of the Retail Industry Leaders Association.
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Gregg Steinhafel was replaced as chairman and CEO of Target in August 2014 by Cornell. The leadership at Cornell is both data-driven and practical. Cornell has closed the loss-making Target Canada during his leadership. To modernize the corporate culture, Cornell has employed numerous outsiders. Now and then, Cornell stops by a Target location to talk to customers. Cornell was named “Business CEO of The Year” by CNN in 2019. The National Retail Federation’s “The Visionary” award, given annually to “an outstanding leader in the retail industry,” was given to Cornell for 2022.
Brian Cornell UCLA
Cornell serves on the UCLA Anderson School of Management’s board of visitors. He serves on the Catalyst board of directors and the museum council of the National Museum of African American History and Culture of the Smithsonian Institution.
