How to do business with Wal-Mart or Sam's Club

Theresa Barrera presently serves as vice president, Supplier Diversity for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. A 22-year veteran of Wal-Mart, she began her career as a part-time cashier in Corpus Christi, Texas, while attending college full time.

Barrera has served in several key positions at Wal-Mart, including store audit, international special projects, an international assistant buyer and housewares buyer and seasonal vice president and divisional manager. Her expertise includes the areas of management, global merchandise research, merchandise purchasing, internal audit inventory.

In her current role, she is responsible for Supplier Diversity for the Company, developing and implementing corporate Supplier Diversity strategy and initiatives to promote, increase, and enhance the quality of the overall participation of minority- and women-owned business enterprises in company’s supply chain.

Barrera was recognized by Hispanic Business Magazine in 2003 and in 2005 as one of the “80 Elite Hispanic Women.” She was also named to the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s elite “40 under 40” listing. In 2006, she was named Northwest Arkansas Business Journal All Decade “40 under 40”

Barrera serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Texas Pan American and the Board of Directors for the National Minority Supplier Development Council. She is also on the Board of Directors of Arvest Bank Group. She holds an undergraduate degree in finance from Corpus Christi State University. She has received extensive corporate training in the areas of management, leadership development, business plans, budget processes and operations.

She is the proud mother of two daughters, Alli, 13, and Olivia, 10.