Former Walmart exec joins Alibaba board

Veteran finance executive and former top Walmart executive Wan Ling Martello has joined the board of directors of Alibaba as the Chinese e-commerce giant eyes growth in the U.S.

Martello was appointed to serve as an independent director of the Alibaba board and will also serve on the board’s audit committee. Martello currently serves as an executive vice president with Nestlé, responsible for Asia, Oceania and Sub-Saharan Africa and previously served as the company’s CFO. Prior to Nestlé, Martello was with Wal-Mart Stores, inc., where she served as a senior vice president and CFO for Walmart International and later as executive vice president of the retailer’s global e-commerce division. Prior to Walmart, Martello was president, U.S. at NCH Marketing Services Inc. She also worked at Borden Foods Corporation and Kraft Foods, Inc. where she held various senior management positions.

“We are thrilled to have Ms. Martello on our board. Her global perspective, retail expertise and sharp business acumen will make her an invaluable member of our board. As Alibaba grows globally, we need business leaders like Ms. Martello to be part of the internationalization process and help ensure we are successful,” said Jack Ma, executive chairman of Alibaba Group.

Martello received a master’s degree in business administration, management information systems from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accountancy from the University of the Philippines.

“Alibaba is one of the world’s largest and most innovative e-commerce companies bringing many different new dimensions to the industry. I’m excited for the opportunity to be part of the Alibaba story and to help the Company on its journey to connect the world’s buyers and sellers,” Martello said.