With over 30 years of experience in the manufacturing and retailing industries, Susan most recently served as executive vice president and CHRO for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Walmart). She reported directly to the CEO and was responsible for managing, attracting, and retaining the world’s largest private workforce.

In that capacity, Susan was responsible for compensation, recruiting, development, and retention initiatives as well as benefits and communications for more than two million Walmart associates worldwide. Additionally, her duties included human resource technology, culture, diversity and inclusion, and regulatory issues.

Before being promoted to CHRO in 2006, Susan held executive positions in multiple corporate functions, including I/T, risk management, and benefits administration. Her career with Walmart spanned more than 16 years; she retired in July 2015. During her tenure, she was named to Fortune magazine’s list of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” five years in a row.

Prior to joining Walmart, Susan worked for 14 years with Hallmark Cards, Inc. in roles of increasing responsibility in I/T and Finance. She was the Director of Application Development at Hallmark before joining Walmart in 1999 as Vice President of Application Development - Merchandising and Supply Chain systems.

Susan is frequently invited to speak on culture and leadership in conference and university settings. A few forums include Duke University, West Point, and the U.S. Naval Academy. She graduated from William Jewell College with a BS degree in Systems & Data Processing. She previously served on the Kansas State Advisory Board (Computer Science), Arvest Bank Board, Walmart Foundation Board, Duke University Board of Visitors of The Fuqua School of Business, Arkansas State Board of Education, William Jewell College Board of Trustees (Immediate Past Board Chair), and USA Truck, Inc. Her current boards include Kauffman Foundation (previously Interim CEO, and Chair, Audit Committee), Lead Bank (Chair, Risk and Governance Committee), and Berlin Packaging (Chair, Leadership Development and Compensation Committee).