Developing Diverse Talent

At Walmart, we‘re very intentional about attracting and growing a diverse associate population, while offering an engaging and inclusive workplace. We’ve increased representation of women and people of color throughout management ranks.

Focusing on female executive leadership

In Mexico, our Female Executive Leadership Education program is designed to provide the skills and resources for female associates to advance to higher roles within the organization. Last year, 118 female associates across Walmart Mexico who were invited to participate in the program graduated.

Enrique Palacios: ‘Discovering his calling’

When Enrique Palacios was hired as a part-time Tire and Lube Express tech at a Walmart store in Pensacola, Fla., 13 years ago, he was working toward a business degree and searching for an opportunity to put it to use. Becoming an eye doctor was one of the furthest things from his mind. But, after trying his hand in a variety of departments and positions, an opportunity to manage the store’s vision center opened — and a light went on.

“The one-on-one patient care we provide in the vision center, along with the small business management experience, was exactly what I’d been looking for,” Enrique said. “My wife, who was also a Walmart assistant manager, got hooked and became a vision center manager at a neighboring store. Within two years, I decided I wanted to take the next step in my own personal development by returning to school to become an eye doctor.”

By this point, Enrique had been out of school for several years, but Walmart helped make it possible for him to turn his dream into reality. When he enrolled at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn., Walmart arranged a transfer so he could continue working at the vision center at a nearby store on weekends. That arrangement continues today, as Enrique completes his third year of school and prepares for an externship at the Memphis VA Medical Center. He’s on track to graduate in May 2016.

“Without Walmart and the way I was encouraged to explore my interests, I may never have developed my passion for optometry,” Enrique said. “Walmart is the reason I want to become an eye doctor.”

Taeko Nirasawa: ‘Embraced for who I am’

As a mother to three daughters, Taeko Nirasawa certainly has priorities beyond her career as manager of the Seiyu store in Kamisugi, Japan. But she says she has always been encouraged to tap into her point of view as a mother and housewife to strengthen her teams and grow her career.

“When you build a great team, it’s a lot like having another family,” Taeko said. “If you respect your fellow associates, you’ll create a great team. I make sure I greet them every day, talk with them and, most important, listen. I’m here to help them grow and accomplish their goals, not just my own.”

Hired into the Endo chain in 1987, Taeko became an assistant manager at the Kita-Sendai store in 2008 and was promoted to co-manager by 2010. Since becoming store manager in Kamisugi last year, she has become focused on helping other female associates who aspire to become managers realize that goal.

“I’ve been embraced for who I am and I want to be a role model for others,” she said. “I motivate the people I work with because I know anyone can make a career here with hard work.”