Julie Barber, Walmart

As executive vice president and chief merchandising officer of Walmart U.S., Julie Barber leads the team that shapes the assortment, pricing and experience across Walmart’s physical and digital shelves. Her aspiration is simple: “to create the offerings and experiences our customers love most.”

Barber began her Walmart career as an analyst on the Walmart Services team and advanced through leadership roles in Financial Services, Innovation and Merchandising. She served as vice president of Snacks and as senior vice president of Health & Wellness, guiding that business through unprecedented demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, as chief merchant for Sam’s Club, she led a bold transformation that put items at the center of the club model.

Today, she is modernizing merchandising through a people-led, tech-powered operating model. Her ambition is for Walmart to be “the place customers trust for the things they need every day and, at the same time, a place where they’re excited by what they discover.”

“I’m a merchant at heart, so I love being close to the customer and the product,” she says. At the same time, she finds people the most rewarding part of her role. “I try to lead with care, courage and authenticity, and I want the people around me to feel like they can do the same.”

Reflecting on 2026, Barber is proud of expanding what Walmart can mean to customers while staying grounded in Every Day Low Prices. She delights in seeing shoppers wear Walmart fashion or discover unexpected brands. That progress, she notes, “has taken courage from our merchants.” She adds, “It still feels like we’re at the beginning of what’s possible.”