Her Story
About Ashley
Ashley Smith is a Senior Director at Walmart with more than two decades of retail leadership experience, specializing in cross-functional strategy, technology enablement, store operations, and supply chain transformation. Beginning her career as an hourly associate while attending college, Ashley progressed through frontline leadership, program management, strategy, and executive roles, gaining a unique perspective that combines field experience with enterprise-level innovation. Her journey reflects a commitment to continuous growth, operational excellence, and creating meaningful impact for associates and customers.
In her current role, Ashley leads initiatives that translate complex business strategies and emerging technologies into scalable solutions across Walmart’s retail ecosystem. She has driven major transformation efforts involving digital enablement, generative AI, customer and associate experience improvements, and multi-billion-dollar business initiatives. Throughout her career, she has successfully built cross-functional partnerships across operations, technology, finance, merchandising, and supply chain to deliver measurable value, improve processes, and support long-term business goals.
Ashley is recognized as a business technologist and strategic leader who bridges the gap between innovation and practical execution. She attributes her success to her father’s example of passion, humility, and commitment to meaningful work, as well as her dedication to learning, collaboration, and developing others. Guided by values of integrity, transparency, trust, and creating a positive workplace culture, Ashley continues to champion solutions that empower teams, strengthen communities, and drive lasting organizational impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashley
01What do you attribute your success to?
My dad who loved his work and embodied no ego, passion for creating stable impactful work that lasts generations.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to know myself and define my own path before allowing others to shape it for me. Understanding my strengths, values, and goals has helped me make intentional career decisions and stay true to the direction I want to pursue.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Data is your best friend. Take your seat at the table. Use your voice and approach with confidence, know your worth. Never take no for an answer. Be loyal to the company not one person. Stay true to your true values and conviction. Achieve company's vision.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Economy creating anxiety in middle management due to senior leadership changes, needing to execute strategy with right people and technology while maintaining bottom line value.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, transparency, and trust. I believe in building authentic relationships through honesty and accountability while creating an environment where people feel valued. I also believe that enjoying what I do and bringing positivity and fun into my work helps foster creativity, collaboration, and meaningful connections.
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