GRAD YEAR: 2013
MAJOR: Communication Studies
CURRENT POSITION: Senior Manager II, Global Communications
LOCATION: Bentonville, AR
Tell us about your current job position.
I work under our Walmart Inc. Corporate Affairs umbrella in Global People Communications. At a high level, I make our biggest Global People moments actually happen — and make sure they feel intentional, on brand and on time.
I lead our Global People events strategy, content and experience design, overseeing everything from big-picture vision to on-the-ground execution. That includes flagship moments like our Year Beginning Meeting, Town Halls and Holiday Celebration, led by our Chief People Officer.
Beyond events, I oversee external social media strategy for three chief people officers, partnering closely with their Chiefs of Staff to translate priorities into clear, actionable communications.
I also manage our Global People internal communications channel, including the biweekly Roundup, bringing a creative, program manager mindset to every touchpoint.
At the end of the day, I love turning ideas into experiences and stories people remember.
Tell us one achievement or accomplishment that stands out in your career!
I’ve worked at four Fortune 500 companies — The Walt Disney Company (#46), J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. (#316), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (#12) and now Walmart Inc. (#1) — and each stop has shaped me in a life-changing way.
But if I’m honest, the greatest part of my career has been the people. The mentors. The teammates. The leaders who took a chance on me. Experiences matter, but relationships last.
The people I’ve met along the way are what I’m most proud of.
How did the relationships you formed through academics at Evangel impact your career/life?
I credit so much of my academic story to Dr. Mark Kelton. My very first class at Evangel was an 8 a.m. public speaking class in Zimmerman 101 with him — I sat in the back row (and definitely got called out).
He later became my academic adviser — and more importantly, a mentor. He is still one of the best storytellers I know, and he taught me that communication is about heart, story and connection, not just delivery.
That lesson has followed me into every role I’ve had. Every time I present, I remember the first speech I gave in his class back in August 2010.
Tell us about how your time at Evangel impacted you.
I absolutely loved my time at Evangel.
I was very involved on campus — you name it, I was somehow plugged in. And it’s something I won’t ever regret.
The professors and staff are what make Evangel so special. What continues to ground me most, though, is that Evangel is founded and rooted in faith. It shaped how I think about calling, leadership and purpose. I can’t imagine my story without EU being part of it.
How did Evangel help you identify/develop your calling?
If anything, don’t put so much pressure on yourself.
What I declared as my major freshman year was not what I ultimately graduated with. Sometimes it’s hard to know what you want to do when you start, but I’m really thankful for the professors I met along the way who led me to the right place.
You aren’t a number in a class. You’re someone who gets poured into daily. Professors take the time to get to know you and help you recognize your God-given gifts.
What life advice would you give a current student preparing to graduate?
Take your hands off the steering wheel.
My path hasn’t been what I thought it would be — and that’s the best part of my story. When you let God drive, your life becomes much more purpose filled. So much of what I worried about never happened. While the roads can be unexpected, and sometimes frustrating, they have eternal meaning.
It’s simple:
Love the Lord with all your heart.
His timing isn’t yours to call.
Stay in your lane (or in my analogy, the passenger seat).
Love people well and wash their feet.
God handles the rest. And you can absolutely trust Him.