Jan Saumweber joined Walmart in September 2013 as Vice President of Responsible Sourcing and led a transformation to focus the company’s work on programs that elevate the safety and dignity of workers in Walmart’s supply chain. Under her leadership, Responsible Sourcing leads and participates in collaborative efforts with a variety of NGOs, governments, other retailers and industry groups to improve the standards in global supply chains. In 2017, Jan was promoted to Senior Vice President of Responsible Sourcing, leading her team to focus resources on higher-risk supply chains and geographies to make the biggest difference for workers. To support this, Jan implemented several changes to the Responsible Sourcing Program, including updating standards for suppliers and transitioning to acceptance of third-party audit programs. In 2017, the Thomson Reuters Foundation named Walmart a shortlisted finalist for their Stop Slavery Award in recognition of efforts to combat forced labor.
Prior to joining Walmart, Jan spent 25 years in Sales and Marketing for Consumer Products companies, including as Senior Vice President, Global Wal-Mart Team, for Sara Lee Corporation. Before joining Sara Lee, Jan was an executive with ConAgra Frozen Foods and the Minute Maid division of the Coca-Cola Company. Her experience leading consumer product companies’ sales and marketing teams gives her a deep understanding of working with merchants to implement responsible buying practices that put worker dignity at the forefront.
Jan serves on the board of directors for the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, where she has worked to advance sustainable reform of the ready-made garment industry in Bangladesh. She also is currently a member of BYU’s Marriott School of Management National Advisory Council and served on the board of directors for Enactus (formerly Students in Free Enterprise).
Jan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. Jan and her husband, Les, have three children.