Bio

Emily McDonald is Senior Director of Learning & Workforce Development, for Disability:IN where she has responsibility for the creation, implementation, and measurable success of an Early Career Talent Accelerator for working professionals with disabilities. She provides consultancy services to Disability:IN partner companies through the Inclusion Works program, in addition to overseeing the creation and facilitation of educational content with an emphasis on disability inclusion.

She joined Disability:IN in February 2023 from Walmart Inc. where she most recently was a Director in the Global Office of Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (CDEI) with responsibility for external reporting, benchmarking, and external stakeholder engagement; including the development of Walmart’s CDEI Annual and Mid-Year Reports, and the execution of CDEI led benchmarking surveys; including the Disability Equality Index and Global Disability Equality Index. In a previous role as Senior Manager – Constituent Relations, Emily managed Walmart’s corporate strategy and stakeholder outreach for Native American and People with Disabilities constituencies. During her 12 years at Walmart, her career also included roles in corporate communications, associate engagement, data insights and measurement, public relations, and philanthropic program management.

Prior to joining Walmart, Emily served as the Executive Director of the Heritage Youth Development Center at the Joplin Family YMCA, with a broad range of job responsibilities that included working with youth organizations, overseeing facilities management, and engaging with key community stakeholders. During her seven years at the YMCA, Emily also served as the Child Care Coordinator and Member Services Director.

Emily currently serves on the Board of Directors for Partnership with Native Americans (PWNA) and also serves as Co-Chair of the American Indian College Fund’s (AICF) Next Generation Advisory Council. While at Walmart she served on the leadership team of the company’s Tribal Voices: Indigenous Associate Resource Group.

She is an honors graduate of Missouri Southern State University, and currently resides in Northwest Arkansas with her husband, Sam and their daughter, Emma. Her perspectives on DEI and disability inclusion are informed by her experience as a Native Hawaiian – Pacific Islander woman with non-apparent disabilities.