G. Russell Kirkland Distinguished Visiting Executive Lecture
Dr. Brian C. Tietje
and the faculty of the College of Business at
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
hosted the Kirkland Lecture honoring
Ms. Theresa Barrera Shaw, Founding Partner of
Barrera-Shaw Group Retail Consultants
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
University Center Anchor Ballroom
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Theresa Barrera-Shaw
Theresa Barrera-Shaw is a founding Partner of Barrera-Shaw Group Retail Consultants. The team works with clients on improving their business through strategic planning, optimization, forecasting, and replenishment. Theresa is known by her clients for her ability to drive growth and innovation with a strong passion for mentorship. She has successfully led several business transformation efforts.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Theresa served in several executive capacities for Fortune 1 company, Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT). Her successful career with the company spanned over 27 years where she led teams through large scale growth before retiring in 2013. Theresa began her career as a part-time cashier at Sam’s Club in Corpus Christi, TX. After graduation from college (Corpus Christi State University), she was promoted to auditor and quickly showed her aptitude for the industry, promoting into roles with increasing levels of responsibility, serving as a corporate officer for 13 years. As Vice President, Supplier Administration, she led supplier diversity and supplier development teams. During this time Walmart benefited with growth from smaller suppliers and opened doors for many to have their products in Fortune 1.
Prior to leading Supplier Administration, Theresa served as Vice President of Merchandising, leading a team of buyers making purchasing decisions domestically and internationally for several critical categories. She was responsible for over $6 billion in revenue in Stationery, including office supplies, back to school, cards, party supplies, books, and magazines and $2 billion in revenue in the complex Seasonal general merchandise business for 4,600 U.S. Stores and Walmart.com. She has a proven track record in full P&L ownership and in leveraging technology, data, and consumer insights to drive long-term strategic business initiatives.
She is respected for her interpersonal skills, relationship building, and collaborative leadership. In addition to leading the business, Theresa has a lifelong passion for developing people at all levels and creating opportunities for learning. She dedicates time as a personal coach, trainer, and facilitator for the Inseitz Group whose mission is to empower women toward greater independence, self-awareness, and potential. Theresa provides an added benefit of being fluent in Spanish.
Theresa has an unwavering dedication to her community and helping others that cannot help themselves. She spends numerous hours volunteering as a court-appointed special advocate for CASA. Selected volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for children’s best interest who have experienced abuse or neglect, many of whom are in foster care. Theresa also has a passion for raising funds for NWA Open Avenues whose mission is to open avenues of opportunity for people with disabilities by facilitating personal growth and attainment of vocational success.
The fight against heart disease is a strong personal commitment for Theresa. She has served with the Northwest Arkansas American Heart Association as co-chair for the “Woman Go Red” event and “Paint the Town Red.” Theresa has been an active member of the “Circle of Red” for the past eleven years.
Theresa is a board member of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley since 2002 and The IDEA School of Arkansas. She previously served ten years on The Arvest Bank Group-Benton County. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Corpus Christi State University (now Texas A&M Corpus Christi) and has extensive corporate and executive training.
Theresa and her husband, David Shaw, reside in Bentonville, Arkansas. They share four grown kids and two grandkids, so far! On the weekends you can find her playing pickleball and enjoying time with her family and friends.
For more information call 361-825-2786 or email cobdeansoffice@tamucc.edu.