Conversation with Ben-Saba Hasan, Global Culture, DE&I at Walmart, Inc.

Leaders in diversity and inclusion speak about their goals, challenges, and careers

In the ever-changing workplace, leaders with expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion are now more important than ever. Join Berkeley Global and the Expanding Diversity and Gender Equity in Tech (EDGE in Tech) Initiative at University of California for our speaker series featuring corporate leaders in diversity, equity, and inclusion roles who will share their journeys and the insights they've gained while advocating for these issues in major corporations.

For this event, we speak with Ben-Saba Hasan, SVP and Chief Global Culture, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Walmart, Inc.

Moderators Jill Finlayson, Director of the EDGE in Tech Initiative at UC, and Justin Oliver, New Student & Pre-College Programs Administrator & Lead Diversity Officer for Summer Sessions & Study Abroad at UC Berkeley, will explore with Hasan his career progression, key culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Walmart, as well as lessons learned he can pass on to other companies.

Agenda:

• 9:00–9:05 am: Welcome remarks by Jill Finlayson

• 9:05–9:50 am: Fireside chat with Ben-Saba Hasan and moderators Finlayson and Oliver

• 9:50–10:10 am: Q&A with the audience

• 10:10–10:15 am: Final remarks by Justin Oliver

About our speaker:

Ben-Saba Hasan

SVP and Chief Global Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Walmart Inc.

Ben Hasan joined Walmart’s Global People team as Senior Vice President and Chief Global Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer in July 2015. In this role, Ben and his team are responsible for the activation and strategic evolution of Walmart’s culture; the development of behaviors that embrace diversity and inclusion at all levels; and the promotion of the company’s external reputation as a great place to work.

He joined Walmart in 2008, and previously served as Senior Vice President, Strategic Services, in Walmart Technology. In this role, Ben and his team were responsible for ISD (Information Systems Division) strategy, communication, innovation, vendor management, project management, business analysis, GTS – India & Mexico, and quality assurance.

Prior to joining Walmart, Ben worked 11 years at Dell Inc. where he progressed through several leadership positions before serving as Vice President of Corporate & Product Group Information Technology (IT). In this position, he directed teams in Texas, Shanghai, Taipei, and Singapore. Ben also served as General Manager of Dell’s IT Development Centers in Brazil and India. He gained broad experience in IT, human resources, rates and regulatory affairs, and customer service early in his career across 14 years at ENSERCH Corporation, an energy company based in Dallas.

Ben was the 2006 recipient of the Temple University Fox School IT Award for Distinguished Alumni. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Amberton University in Dallas and a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a computer science concentration from Temple University in Philadelphia. Ben also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Ben is a board member for several national and local organizations, including the Walmart Foundation; Catalyst Board of Advisors; Ron Clark Academy (Atlanta); United Negro College Fund; and Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce.

About our moderators:

Jill Finlayson

Director, EDGE in Tech Initiative at University of California

Jill Finlayson is Director of the EDGE in Tech Initiative at UC (Expanding Diversity and Gender Equity ) co-sponsored by CITRIS and Berkeley Engineering. Prior to Berkeley, she led mentorship and developed incubator and accelerator programs for Singularity University Ventures, whose mission is to increase the number of impact-focused tech startups. Finlayson ran the Toys category for five years at eBay and authored the book Fundraising on eBay. She managed a community of social entrepreneurs at the Skoll Foundation, led marketing at various startups, and consulted for the World Bank, Gates Foundation and Ford Foundation. Finlayson also judges and coaches founders of global startups for several startup competitions. She has mentored for TechWomen.org for the past nine years, also participating in delegation trips. Finlayson is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley.

Justin Oliver

New Student & Pre-College Programs Administrator & Lead Diversity Officer for Summer Sessions & Study Abroad at UC Berkeley.

Justin Oliver serves as the New Student & Pre-College Programs Administrator & Lead Diversity Officer for Summer Sessions & Study Abroad at UC Berkeley. In his Administrator role, he manages a portfolio of innovative academic summer programs for newly admitted UC Berkeley students and the Pre-College Scholars program for high school students.

In his role as Lead Diversity Officer, he works in collaboration with his colleagues and leadership to create a more accountable, diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment for underrepresented students and staff members.

A Western New York native, Justin earned his B.A in Communications & Masters of Public Administration from SUNY Brockport.

Other events in this series:

Conversation with Leslie Gray, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Mozilla, Tues, June 22, 9-10:15 am, Pacific.

Conversation with Dionna Smith, Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Thumbtack, Tues, Aug 17, 9-10:15 am, Pacific.