Walmart executive joins NWACC Foundation board of directors

NorthWest Arkansas Community College Foundation announced Monday (June 14) the appointment of Maren Waggoner to its board of directors. Waggoner is vice president of workforce strategy and global people partner for Walmart Inc. and adjunct professor for Claremont Graduate University.

Waggoner is replacing a previous board member, LeAnn Smith, said Liz Kapsner, associate director of communications at NWACC. Smith left her position as vice president and chief people officer for Walmart’s Global Corporate Functions and moved out of state, Kapsner said.

In her new role, Waggoner will assist the board in advocating for NWACC, support the college’s leadership, implement short- and long-term goals, raise money and grow its prospect base, according to a news release. Her term for the board position is three years.

“I am honored to be working with the NWACC Foundation,” Waggoner said. “After moving to [Northwest Arkansas] over four years ago, I have been in awe of the community, opportunities and talent in this special area of the country. The foundation’s mission to support our generations to come in their pursuit of an affordable, accessible and quality education speaks to me on many levels personally and professionally. I am looking forward to working with the team and serving our community.”

Since 2017, Waggoner has worked for the Bentonville-based retailer in multiple people-focused roles, initially supporting Walmart U.S., and more recently as vice president of global people. In her existing role, she’s responsible for helping to further the mission of the global people team and the company’s more than 2.2 million employees with a focus on growth, inclusion, well-being and digital, the release said.

Waggoner was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, and has lived across Europe and the United States. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Kiel in Germany and a master’s degree from the University of West Florida. In 2008, she moved to California to pursue a doctorate in organizational behavior from Claremont Graduate University. She and her husband, TJ, live near Beaver Lake in Rogers.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Maren Waggoner to the NWACC Foundation Board of Directors,” board president Mike Luttrell said. “We look forward to working with her to provide great support to NWACC and its students.”

In May, NWACC announced beginning Monday college employees will return to their offices and accommodate face-to-face student services, while also adhering to social distancing guidelines.