Doug McMillon, who rose from unloading trailers to leading Walmart as CEO, is retiring after 40 years with the company and says he is most excited about seeing a “blank calendar,” though he still expects to mix business and philanthropy after a short break from work.
Key Takeaways
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Retirement with white space: After decades of tightly scheduled work, McMillon is eager for an unscripted stretch of time, describing the prospect of a blank calendar as genuinely exciting.
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Work still in the picture: Although stepping down at 59, he anticipates returning in some capacity, blending business and philanthropic roles following a few months off.
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Passing the baton at Walmart: McMillon believes AI is ushering Walmart into a new era and says it is the right moment to hand leadership to John Furner, whom he sees as better positioned to run the company’s next lap.
