Forty Under 40: Shelly McDougal

Shelly McDougal thought she was just going to work at Walmart during the holidays while she worked on a degree in marketing at Pittsburg State University. Little did she know that her holiday job would turn into a career with the company.

“I fell in love with Walmart,” she said. “There are so many opportunities to do so many different things.”

McDougal started as a temporary sales floor associate during college in 1999. After graduating, she became an assistant manager and worked in several stores in the Kansas City area. In 2004, she came to work at the home office, where she now serves as senior director of store layout.

McDougal said she is most proud of being able to help people develop their careers while at Walmart.

“Walmart has given me the opportunity to work with very talented individuals,” she said. McDougal said she wants to continue to grow with Walmart, learning different areas of the company and helping others succeed.

“The interactions with people are what make the company successful,” she said.

In addition to her job and family, McDougal is passionate about her work with the Northwest Arkansas chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. As a board member, she helps raise funds and awareness to support the foundation’s mission.