Dan Bartlett | Influence 100

Dan Bartlett 

EVP, Corporate Affairs 
Walmart
US

 

 

In the last decade, Walmart has seen a remarkable turnaround of its reputation and stance on pivotal issues: the minimum wage, guns and ammunition, and sustainability, as well as public health threats including vaping and opioids. Earlier this year, the company opened access to Covid vaccines, providing walk-up vaccinations at all its 5,100+ Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies in the US and Puerto Rico. Walmart’s CEO was among the chief architects of the updated Business Roundtable statement of purpose in 2019 that equalized shareholders with other stakeholders; CEO Doug McMillon is currently chair of the Roundtable.

Dan Bartlett has been integral in this. He took the reins of Walmart’s corporate affairs department in June 2013, replacing Leslie Dach. Bartlett reports to McMillon and serves as a member of the company’s executive council. His responsibilities include oversight of external communications, government relations and sustainability, as well as the Walmart Foundation.

Bartlett was previously president and CEO of the US operations of Hill+Knowlton Strategies, which he joined when the firm merged with WPP sister agency Public Strategies. Prior to that, he was a senior counselor to President George W. Bush, responsible for all aspects of the president’s strategic communications planning, formulation of policy and implementation of the president’s agenda. He also oversaw the White House press office and the offices of communications, media affairs and speechwriting and global communications.