Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke Receives Diversity Award
by June 28, 2012 11:46 am 100 views
A networking group for women in the consumer packaged goods retail industry recognized Wal-Mart Stores Inc. CEO Mike Duke on Thursday for his efforts to increase opportunities for women and minorities.
A sold-out crowd of more than 500 attendees packed the ballroom at the Embassy Suites in Rogers for the Network of Executive Women’s breakfast event, which is held annually in conjunction with the LPGA.
Alison Kenney Paul, vice chairman and U.S. retail and distribution leader for Deloitte, presented Duke with the award inducting him into NEW’s CPG/Retail Diversity Hall of Fame.
Paul cited the numbers of women and minorities in top positions with the giant retailer and its five-year, $100 million Global Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative.
Funded by Wal-Mart and the Wal-Mart Foundation, the initiative’s five goals include increasing sourcing from women-owned businesses, providing training and career opportunities to women on farms and in factories, and increasing gender diversity among major suppliers.
In accepting the award, Duke said, “This is really for Wal-Mart, for our associates and our customers.
“I’m honored in this job every day to serve our customers and associates,” he said.
Earlier in the program, Duke moderated a panel discussion on diversity with Paul; Elane Stock, president of Kimberly-Clark Professional; and Gisel Ruiz, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Wal-Mart U.S.