Highly Commended in our Woman of the Year – The Americas category for 2024 was Brandy Newhof, Senior Director of Treasury at Walmart. Brandy is a highly accomplished treasury professional who has risen through the ranks of Walmart over a 24-year career, with a strong track record of helping other women succeed and bringing out the best in her team.

Harnessing opportunities

Growing up as the child of a single mother and single grandmother, Brandy’s role models have always been strong, independent women. She was inspired by her mother, who raised her while finishing her education and working multiple jobs, and by her grandmother who had followed a similar path. From these inspirational women, Brandy learned the importance of helping others and grabbing opportunities whenever they arise – all while staying humble and inclusive.

She has also long understood the value of thinking outside the box, a quality which is illustrated by a story from her senior year of high school. To ensure she had the strength and agility needed to excel on the soccer field, Brandy joined the boys’ wrestling team, thereby using a unique approach to training to gain an edge and support her team.

Having understood the value of an education from a young age, Brandy graduated from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business with an Accounting degree in just three years. In conjunction with scholarship funds and grants, she financed most of her education by working as the student general manager of the campus catering business through a work study programme. Throughout her career, Brandy has continued to broaden her skillset and education, becoming both a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Treasury Professional (CTP).

Today, Brandy oversees Walmart’s global banking and cash management, including cash forecasting, cash repatriation, working capital initiatives and supplier financing strategies. During her five-year tenure in Walmart’s treasury, Brandy has led efforts to guide the company’s finance response to the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, racial injustice, rising inflation and interest rates.

Supporting suppliers

Of particular note is the difference Brandy has made to supporting the company’s supply chain partners. By taking advantage of Walmart’s access to capital, data and relationships with key partners, she and her team have leveraged the company’s existing supply chain finance programme to provide working capital benefits to small and minority-owned suppliers at lower rates. Brandy has also championed efforts to ensure expedited supplier payments at even lower rates than Walmart’s already competitive offering – an initiative which is currently benefiting around 300 suppliers.

Likewise, Walmart was the first corporate partner for Bridge, an innovative programme that gives small suppliers access to broader financing options. Under Brandy’s guidance, Walmart is in the early stages of helping suppliers who have previously struggled to find financing to fund business needs, including the purchase of equipment and raw materials they need to fulfil Walmart’s purchase orders.

The work Brandy has done in driving treasury and finance efforts to support vital suppliers during difficult times has brought internal recognition for her contributions towards Walmart’s Shared Value Network regarding diversity and inclusion.

“In a world where suppliers often face financial obstacles, Brandy stands out as an exceptional leader who has made it her mission to address these challenges head-on,” notes her manager, Matt Allen, VP, Assistant Treasurer. “Through her unwavering advocacy and support, she has become a driving force in ensuring that suppliers have access to the financing they need to succeed. Her dedication and commitment to supplier financing serve as an inspiration to us all, and we are proud to recognize her as a true trailblazer in the industry.”

Helping others succeed

As a strong supporter of Belonging, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (BDE&I) initiatives, Brandy is passionate in her belief that everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed. She works tirelessly to help team members build their skills, advance their careers and earn recognition from senior leadership.

Brandy regularly acts as a mentor to colleagues – particularly women – and invests her time by providing career advice and helping mentees gain much-needed exposure with senior management. Having learned early in her own career how important it is for women to find their voices and make sure they are heard, she encourages her mentees to do the same and goes out of her way to seek their opinions.

Outside of work, Brandy constantly looks to give back to the community, supporting critically important causes. She is treasurer of a local organisation called Open Avenues in Rogers, Arkansas, which provides employment opportunities for adults with disabilities, bringing her considerable treasury skills to help the organisation invest and optimise returns. She is also very active in annual fundraising events.

As Michael X. Sfinas, Director at Citi Treasury & Trade Solution Sales, observes: “Brandy is the epitome of a leader who excels in both professional and personal capacities – not only as a Senior Director in Treasury, but also as a role model who is making a positive impact on her surrounding communities.”