A Company at Its Best

A Reflection from Walmart President & CEO,

Doug McMillon

A company's culture is most clearly demonstrated in moments that require extraordinary leadership.

Carrying the vision forward

As Lee predicted, associates rose to the challenge. They created their own sustainability plans and came up with ideas to drive progress against those three bold goals. It didn't matter whether you had a particular subject matter expertise in energy or other issues; what mattered were fresh ideas and innovation in your part of the business that could make a difference.

Those ideas led to programs like Acres for America, which we launched in 2005 in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to help protect one acre of habitat for every acre of land we developed for a Walmart store. Far exceeding our initial goal, we've helped protect more than 2 million acres of land through 126 conservation projects in all 50 states, and we're excited to expand our ambition globally in the years to come.

We've accomplished a lot since those bold goals were shared. Sustainability has become embedded in the way we run our business. Today, nearly half of our global electricity needs are supplied by renewable sources.

We've diverted more than 80% of our global operational waste. We're producing products that are better for people and the planet, like our Member's Mark food and beverage products, which will eliminate over 40 ingredients such as artificial colors and high-fructose corn syrup by the end of the year.

And we've engaged thousands of suppliers to avoid over 1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, improve the sustainability of over 20 commodities ranging from beef to produce to tuna, and create economic opportunities for people working throughout product value chains.

The next era of leadership

Lee's courageous leadership and bold vision have become a defining part of how we do business: a belief that doing good and doing well are not opposing goals - they're the same goal.

We're grateful for the path he set us on and to have had leaders like Rob Walton, our chairman at the time, who encouraged us to think long-term. We've experienced firsthand the strength of shared value - that by addressing the needs of customers, associates, suppliers, communities and the planet, we create more value for everyone, including shareholders. It's an "and" approach that defines and continues to guide Walmart today.

And while we're proud of the progress we've made, we know there's still more to do. As Lee said, "The world needs help all the time. People and the environment are being pushed to the limits." That still feels true today. And it's our responsibility to ensure we care for the planet we inhabit, the communities we serve, and that people everywhere have the opportunity to save money and live a better life.

As we look to the next 20 years, we know we'll face challenges we can't yet see. It will be our culture and values that guide us through those moments and help us innovate new ways to serve people and the planet.

For example, we know technology, especially AI, will transform the way we live, work and shop. It will automate tasks - both physical and mental - and it's understandable to be concerned about the risks that creates for people. But we see opportunity for people and the planet.

AI gives us a chance to empower people. To free them up to use their creativity, empathy, and problem-solving skills to invent new ways that will serve people better and help accelerate progress on the toughest social and environmental challenges we face. It will be our responsibility to create new opportunities that help people and nature thrive. That's what leadership looks like in this next era: making conscious choices about how technology serves people.

We see the future at Walmart as one in which AI enables us to serve our customers and members even better, create better opportunities for our associates and build a more regenerative business for the planet. We're still people-led, but we've become even more tech-powered - and that combination will define the next chapter of our story.

Leadership in this new era will require the same courage and conviction that Lee, Rob and others at Walmart demonstrated: listening deeply, acting boldly and serving broadly. And while our purpose, culture and values remain timeless - it's our commitment to listening, learning, changing and growing that will allow us to serve all generations even better.

I'm proud of the progress we've made since Lee first set those bold ambitions, and I'm grateful to our associates who have led the way. Time and again, they've proven that it's our people who make the difference by living our culture, leading with purpose and showing the world what Walmart looks like at its best.

But what excites me most is what's still ahead.