6 CEOs fired over secret affairs

Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are expected to be professional, have boundaries and uphold ethical leadership. This is because, in most cases, one must have climbed up many ladders to become a CEO.

And if not careful, those years of experience can fade away in a single stand. 

This is because some companies have policies that forbid workers from having a romantic affair with each other. 

And if found culpable. The punishments are not novel. Some CEOs have been fired over secret affairs that failed to align with their companies’ principles hence. 

Here are the CEOs fired over secret affairs:

1. Laurent Freixe

Laurent Freixe was the former CEO of Nestle. He was fired on 2 September 2025 after an investigation revealed that he was having an affair with his subordinate. 

This action by Freixe violates the code of business conduct of the company. His case was investigated and chaired by Paul Bulcke and Pablo Isla alongside other independent counsel. 

In Freire’s place, Nestle appointed Philipp Navratil as the new chief executive officer.

2. Alan Shaw

Alan Shaw is an American business executive. He was the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Norfolk Southern Corporation, a provider of rail transport services. 

His tenure which lasted two years, ended on 11 September 2024, after he was found guilty of having an affair with Nabanita Nag, the company’s executive vice president corporate affairs, chief legal officer and corporate secretary, effective. 

Shaw, whose tenure was described as “turbulent”, was replaced by Mark George, the former CFO of the company. 

3. Ashley Buchanan

Ashley Buchanan was dismissed in May 2025 as the head of Kohl (a retail company) months after his appointment.  

After a thorough investigation, the company discovered that Buchanan was in a romantic relationship with a woman called Chandra Holt, the founder of Incredibrew, a coffee business. 

Ashley made her do business with Kohl; unknown to the management they were lovers until it was unraveled. 

4. Steve Easterbrook

Steve Easterbrook was the former CEO fired from an American fast food company, McDonalds. 

He was appointed in March 2015 but his appointment was terminated on 1 November 2019 by the board of directors after Steve was found guilty of having a romantic affair with an employee — a violation of the company’s policies. 

5. Nadine Ahn

Nadine Ahn is an experienced and expert in banking, capital markets, corporate development and strategy. 

She was the chief financial officer of Royal Bank of Canada. Unfortunately, Ahn was dismissed for having a romantic relationship with one of her subordinates. She was caught hugging and kissing Ken Mason as they exited the elevator of the Royal York Hotel, Canada.

6. Andy Byron

Andy Byron, a seasoned software executive, was the chief executive officer (CEO) of Astronomer, a private company focused on building reliable data products and power data-driven applications. 

Bryony became famous after being caught on camera caressing (which actually went viral on social media) Kristin Cabot, the company’s HR officer during a concert. 

Bryony was compelled to resign or better put: fired.