A former Walmart executive has been tapped to take the helm of the Heartland Summit. Angie Cooper will be taking over the mission and operations of Heartland Forward’s annual event, held in Bentonville.
In addition to overseeing the Heartland Summit, Cooper will also head up the development for other events for the organization.
Cooper has served in various roles at Walmart over the past 16 years. Her positions have touched on policy, as well as international and domestic affairs. She has worked in departments including Merchandising, Public Affairs, State and Local Government Relations, and the Walmart Foundation. Most recently, she served as Senior Director of Global Public Policy.
“Our mission to change the narrative about the middle of the United States can only be achieved by coming together to address the unique challenges and opportunities this region faces,” Olivia Walton, Heartland Summit co-founder, said in a statement. “Angie’s deep-rooted understanding of those issues and experience in producing strategic gatherings during her career at Walmart will bring a vital perspective to the Heartland Summit team.”
As the head of the Heartland Summit, Cooper will be responsible for an annual summit that aims to ignite “honest conversations about the challenges for the region,” according to a Heartland Forward news release, as well as inspire problem-solving for the country’s heartland region.
“The prospect of assembling the greatest thinkers and doers of our time, while helping to enact positive change for the Heartland, is a phenomenal undertaking and one that is truly close to my heart, having spent my formative years here,” Cooper said. “I’m honored at the opportunity to take on this role and to work with this constructive force for the greater good.”
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