Keynote Speakers

Prathibha Rajashekhar

Senior Vice President, Innovation & Automation
Walmart U.S.

Prathibha Rajashekhar currently serves as senior vice president of innovation and automation at Walmart U.S., where she and her team are responsible for transforming the company's end-to-end supply chain and store operations through the advancement of high-tech capabilities. This includes modernizing the company's facilities with state-of-the-art automation designed to enhance the work environment for associates. It also includes digitizing the in-store experience with next generation solutions such as touchless checkout, digital shelf labels and more.

Prior to this role, Prathibha served as senior vice president, private brands and sourcing at Sam's Club where she led the development of Member's Mark products that drove member advocacy and profitable growth for the business. During her time at Sam's Club, she also served as vice president/DMM for Baby, HBA & OTC categories, responsible for identifying great items and bringing them to life at the best value for Sam's members.

Before serving in merchandising at Sam's she served as VP for data, analytics and insights for Global People, responsible for providing insights around human capital to enable better talent outcomes for serving our customers better.

She started with Walmart in January 2011 serving as manager of operations for Walmart Tech. Since 2011, Prathibha has had the opportunity to serve in multiple positions and areas within the company in Global Leverage, Shared Services, and Next Generation Supply Chain. Prior to Walmart, she worked as a consultant helping design and build IT architecture for insurance and financial services companies and establish and manage IT operations for the vehicle planning division for General Motors.

Prathibha currently serves on STEMconnector, collaborating with other companies to create a focus on STEM talent pipeline, jobs, and recruitment with an emphasis on diversity and women. She has a passion for helping youth and is currently working with Boys & Girls Club of Benton County (Arkansas).

Prathibha holds a master's degree in computer science from the University of Mysore, India and a MBA from Duke University. Prathibha and her family reside in Northwest Arkansas.

More information about additional keynote speakers will be made available at a later date.