Diversity & Inclusion

The world’s largest company held its annual shareholders meeting Friday morning and the most noteworthy development at the event — aside from a $15 billion share repurchase authorization — was a surprise appearance and glowing comments by Hollywood heavyweight Tom Cruise.

Toano, Va. -- Lumber Liquidators, the largest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring in North America, announced the appointment of Sandra C. Whitehouse as senior VP chief human resources officer, effective later this month.

Whitehouse most recently served as chief human resources officer for Earthbound Farm. Previously, she led the human resources department at Orchard Supply Hardware.

Stanley Black & Decker is trying a new logo on for size. Although it's still yellow and black and still spells "Stanley," it represents a new brand identity for the iconic tool brand and diverse industrial company. 

SAN ANTONIO — CST Brands, the parent company of Corner Store and Dépanneur du Coin, has appointed Denise Incandela, EVP and CMO at Saks Fifth Avenue, to its board. She becomes the tenth member of a board chaired by CST president and CEO Kim Bowers. 

At Saks, Incandela oversees Saks Direct and Saks Fifth Avenue’s marketing programs, including advertising, sales promotions, loyalty, digital marketing, social media, customer analytics and market research.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble has grouped its global business units into four industry-based sectors and placed Martin Riant, Deborah A. Henretta, David S. Taylor and Giovanni Ciserani as global heads of each to support the company’s current growth strategies.

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. has appointed Sharon Price John, 49, as CEO, effective immediately. John, who previously served as president of Stride Rite Children’s Group, a division of Wolverine Worldwide, succeeds company founder Maxine Clark, who is retiring as CEO. Clark will remain on the board of directors.

NEW YORK — In commemoration of National LGBTQ Pride month, Macy’s and its employees will participate in 23 Pride parades, hold in-store events nationwide celebrating diversity and offer special merchandise to help support the fight for LGBTQ equality.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble’s Always feminine care brand has announced the launch of its “Give a Girl a Break” initiative that aims to turn filmmaking passions into careers for a group of aspiring young women.

Three Scotts Miracle-Gro board members resigned following the delivery of a unanimously supported reprimand of CEO Jim Hagedorn that stemmed from the use of inappropriate language. 

Hagedorn apologized in a statement.

"While I have a tendency to use colorful language, I recognize my comments in this case were inappropriate and I apologize," Hagedorn said. "I, along with the rest of our board members, consider the matter resolved and I have made a personal commitment to prevent a future recurrence."

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will hold its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Friday, June 7, including an executive update by president and CEO Mike Duke.

As many as 14,000 global Walmart associates are also attending the event, most arriving in time for elaborate pre-meeting activities. "Our success is only possible because of the hard work and dedication of our 2.2 million associates around the world,” said Susan Chambers, executive VP global people, at Walmart.