Welcoming Walmart as a 2021 Annual Summit Patron Sponsor

Concordia is proud to announce a continuation in its collaboration with Walmart joining the 2021 Annual Summit as a Patron Sponsor. 

Walmart, which employs 2.2 million associates, helps people save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Walmart International delivers on this promise by bringing value, access and opportunity to millions of people in 23 countries through more than 5,100 stores and ecommerce websites. It leverages talent and partnerships to make life easier for customers and make a positive impact across the globe.

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to being at the vanguard of sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. By leading projects such as Project Gigaton and The Sustainability Insight System Index, Walmart’s innovative approach to collaboration galvanizes suppliers to be part of large-scale environmental change. 

Building on past programming co-developed by both Concordia and Walmart, this year’s Annual Summit will examine the recent commitments made by Walmart to become a regenerative company, including its goal of targeting zero emissions across its global operations by 2040 and helping to protect, manage or restore at least 50 million square miles of land and one million square miles of ocean by 2030 to help combat the cascading loss of nature threatening the planet. The programming will also explore response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic being carried out in Walmart’s retail and sourcing markets, as well as its continuing efforts to expand access and opportunity around the world. The Main Stage sessions will focus on climate change, innovation, and strategic partnerships to drive growth and inclusion. Concordia looks forward to welcoming back Judith McKenna, President & CEO of Walmart International, and Kathleen McLaughlin, Executive Vice President & Chief Sustainability Officer for Walmart Inc. and President of the Walmart Foundation, to its stage. 

“Walmart International and the Walmart Foundation are setting a leading example of the role of the private sector in catalyzing environmental and social progress, so I’m thrilled to be continuing our partnership this year,” commented Matthew Swift, Concordia’s Co-Founder & CEO. “With the world’s eyes on COP26, the 2021 Annual Summit will focus on the urgent steps that private sector companies must take to address the intensifying climate crisis. I look forward to taking lessons learned to the global stage so that we can advance progress on a much larger scale.” 

“Our associates around the world have played an essential role in helping people access the products they need during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Judith McKenna, President and CEO of Walmart International, “and our resolve to further expand access and opportunity to people everywhere we do business is stronger than ever. Concordia is a forum for building the partnerships that are key to making a lasting impact on our customers, associates, suppliers and partners across the world and we look forward to being part of this year’s event.”

“This last year has underscored the need for urgent action to build a more sustainable and equitable future. That’s why Walmart is striving to become a regenerative company—one that works to renew, restore and replenish people and the planet.” said Kathleen McLaughlin, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer for Walmart Inc. and President of the Walmart Foundation. “We’re glad to continue our collaboration with Concordia at the 2021 Annual Summit, which helps leaders across sectors create a stronger shared vision and share ideas to accelerate progress for transforming systems.”