Walmart taps Five Below exec as chief people officer

A new face is coming to Walmart’s C-suite.

The retail giant said it has appointed Judy Werthauser as executive VP and chief people officer of Walmart U.S., effective Feb.6. She succeeds Julie Murphy, who has retired from Walmart after a 37-year career with the company.

Werthauser joins Walmart from Five Below, where she most recently served as chief experience officer. She helped contribute to the growth of Five Below, doubling the size of that business from 750 locations to more than 1,300 during the past three years, according to a Walmart statement.

Werthauser also has extensive people leadership, operational and transformation experience spanning Domino’s, Target and U.S. Bank.

Werthauser will oversee our people efforts for all associates in the Walmart U.S. segment within its stores, distribution centers, fulfillment centers and campus offices. 

In this role, she will lead the people strategy within Walmart U.S., focused on career growth and associate opportunity, prioritizing well-being, driving a culture of belonging, and enhancing our digital ways of working.

“As the Walmart U.S. team works to exceed customer expectations, improve the Walmart+ experience, and accelerate our digital expansion, Judy will be an invaluable partner and counselor to the business,” Walmart Inc. chief people officer Donna Morris wrote in a memo to employees. “Her expertise will benefit both our associates and our efforts to continue growing wallet share in the U.S.”

Werthauser will be a key member of John Furner’s Walmart U.S. leadership team and a pivotal member of the Global People leadership team. Judy’s direct reports will include Maren Waggoner (senior VP, end-to-end people), Eric Snieski (VP, people and product), Megan Taylor (VP, people customer and revenue Growth), Trinh Lam (senior director, merchandising people), and Courtney Fisher (senior director, H&W People).

“Judy is passionate about retail and people, and I look forward to the impact she’ll make on our associates at Walmart,” wrote Morris. “Judy will be starting with us on Feb. 6 and will be moving into a home in Northwest Arkansas along with her husband, Allen.”