Judith McKenna has been promoted to chief operating officer for Walmart U.S., succeeding Gisel Ruiz, who has been named executive VP of Walmart's International People Division.

McKenna "has made major contributions to our business," Walmart U.S. CEO Greg Foran stated. "It's exciting to bring her skills in managing store operations, small-format growth, logistics and e-commerce to an expanded role in our U.S. operations."

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Judith McKenna has been promoted to chief operating officer for Walmart U.S., succeeding Gisel Ruiz, who has been appointed executive vice president of Walmart’s International People Division.

Judith McKenna has been promoted to chief operating officer for Walmart U.S., succeeding Gisel Ruiz, who has been appointed executive vice president of Walmart’s International People Division.

Walmart said Wednesday that McKenna, previously chief development officer for Walmart U.S., takes over the COO post immediately and will continue to report to Walmart U.S. president and chief executive officer Greg Foran.

Ruiz also begins in her new position effective immediately and will report to Walmart International president and CEO David Cheesewright.

As COO of Walmart U.S., McKenna will lead a team of 1.3 million associates. She also will continue to lead Walmart’s small-format stores, development of new formats, expansion of Walmart services and the integration of digital commerce into current U.S. stores.

McKenna has been with Walmart for almost 20 years, joining the company as part of its Asda leadership team in the United Kingdom, where she served as the chief financial officer and COO. She later moved to Walmart International as executive vice president of strategy and international development.

"At her core and by experience, Judith is a retailer who has made major contributions to our business throughout her career," Foran said in a statement. "It’s exciting to bring her skills in managing store operations, small-format growth, logistics and e-commerce to an expanded role in our U.S. operations. Her knowledge of global best practices and her success in leading our associates around the world will help drive our Walmart U.S. business forward.

As executive vice president of Walmart’s International People Division, Ruiz will be a key member of Cheesewright’s leadership team and the company’s global people leadership team, according to Walmart. She will also drive Walmart’s human resources strategy and priorities that reach more than 1 million associates in 26 nations.

Ruiz started at Walmart as a management trainee and built experience across key roles in labor relations, operations and human resources, Walmart said. Most recently, as COO for Walmart U.S., Ruiz led the retailer’a focus on improving operational efficiencies, opened more than 400 new U.S. stores, and boosted representation of women and people of color across operations leadership roles, the company noted.

"Gisel is an inspirational leader who has consistently contributed to Walmart’s growth and success throughout her 22 years with the company," Cheesewright stated. "Her proven track record and unwavering commitment to our associates make her the perfect choice for this new role. The expertise and leadership that Gisel brings are needed as we take our International Division to the next level. I’m looking forward to the impact she’ll have on our associates and business around the world."