CHRISTINE WILBURN
VICE PRESIDENT, CUSTOMER DEVELOPMENT, UNILEVER - WALMART CONSUMABLES Christine Wilburn is from the small town of Vandalia, Missouri, where she was instilled with values such as strong sense of community and hard work. After living in multiple Midwestern cities such as Chicago, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis, she found Northwest Arkansas to be “home” and simply the best place to raise a family as it has so much to offer while still maintaining a small community vibe. She lived in NWA for nearly eight years from 20082015, moved to Cincinnati, and then jumped at the opportunity to come back to NWA with Unilever. Her husband, Mark, is assistant principal and coach at St. Joseph Catholic School, and they have four children: Madeline, Ella, Audrey and Noah.
Education: B.S. Agribusiness Management, University of Missouri
Best part of your job: I love that every day is challenging and unique, and I find that I am constantly learning. I also get so much energy from a team environment focused on a common goal, which is the spirit of how we work in the supplier community.
Quality you admire most in women: I admire women that are unapologetically authentic in their personal and professional lives. The happiest women I know are living their best lives by being true to who they are and their values. And they readily admit that the McDonald’s drive thru is a source of survival when work gets hectic, kids' schedules are crazy, etc.!
What changes have you seen within your workplace in regard to empowering women? One of the things that attracted me to Unilever is they are the gold standard for gender equality and supporting women in the workplace. We walk the talk, and we are constantly evaluating other companies for new ways to improve support. Our leaders are unapologetic about their efforts, and that matters. One area that has made a big impact on me is the idea of a truly flexible work schedule. Our employees work when, where and how they can be most effective at their job. It takes away the worry and guilt of running to the awards assembly or leaving for a kid's game, because they trust that you will do what you need to do to get the job done.
What nonprofits are you involved with and why? Because my husband is the assistant principal at St. Joseph Catholic School, we give much of our time and resources to our church family and community. I also serve on the Development Council for The Jones Center, and I sponsor the women’s support efforts for our local team.
Who is your biggest inspiration? I find inspiration in so many places and people, but I have been reflecting frequently on my grandparents during this pandemic. I think because they lived through the Great Depression and World War II, they found joy and blessings in the little things – family dinners, playing cards, dancing in the kitchen to the radio, and simply being grateful for health and time with loved ones.