Wal-Mart Foundation chief picked for OMB job

by The City Wire staff ([email protected]) 105 views 

President Barack Obama has tapped Wal-Mart Foundation President Sylvia Mathews Burwell to head up the Office of Management and Budget.

The White House is expected to announce Burwell’s nomination Monday, Feb. 4.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. CEO Mike Duke released the following statement Sunday night (Mar. 3):

"We congratulate Sylvia on her nomination by President Obama to be director of the Office of Management and Budget.

"Sylvia is a strong leader who both masters the details and has a clear vision for making big things happen. She cares deeply about people and has natural personal warmth that enables her to build relationships and drive results that deliver impact. She understands business and the role that business, government and civil society must play to build a strong economy that provides opportunity and strengthens communities across the country.

"Sylvia does a great job leading the Walmart Foundation, and if confirmed by the Senate, will do a tremendous job serving our country."


In January 2012 she was named president of the Wal-Mart Foundation after a decade serving in executive leadership of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Burwell is no stranger to Washington as she was deputy director of the White House budget office during the Clinton administration.

Burwell graduated cum laude from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in government relations. She earned another bachelor’s degree in politics and economics from Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.