Editor’s Note: Heather Reinhardt is a former Walmart intern who is introducing CEO Doug McMillon prior to his remarks at the 2016 Net Impact Conference in Philadelphia. At the event, Doug will outline a series of commitments that will benefit customers and communities – learn more about his speech here.
Last summer, I had the privilege of interning with Walmart’s pricing strategy team. Growing up I had always heard Walmart’s mission: Help people save money so they can live better. It always seemed honest and real, but I wondered if it was really true.
When I received my offer, Walmart flew the prospective interns to their home office in Arkansas to see things for ourselves. The month I met Doug and heard him speak for the first time was the same month Walmart gave raises to 1.2 million hourly associates in the U.S. He said “Let’s work together to serve our customers, grow our company, and take care of one another.” Those words and that commitment moved me to sign my internship offer.
During my internship, I witnessed the company’s commitment to its mission firsthand. That June, I was there to see more than a thousand entrepreneurs travel to Bentonville for its annual “Made in the USA” Open Call event that is helping drive Walmart’s $250 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing.
Whether they’re helping to bring manufacturing jobs back to communities across the U.S. or investing in the future of their people, Walmart is using its size and scale for good in the 28 countries where they operate. I'm proud to be associated with a company whose work makes a real difference on the real issues that matter to all of us, while driving meaningful change in a way that no other company can.
Walmart is truly making big bets and bold goals. Check out a few of those here.