Kiley Pulley Is Walmart’s Youngest U.S. Store Manager

Kiley Pulley joined Walmart at 16 as a part-time cashier in Arizona, and at 23 she is now earning a six-figure salary as the retail giant’s youngest U.S. store manager, fortune.com reported.

Pulley followed her mother and sister into the company as a high school student looking for extra spending money. Two years after starting, she took a promotion to Academy Trainer while beginning her first semester at Grand Canyon University.

Her perspective shifted six months later when she accepted a promotion to Team Lead. She told the Phoenix Business Journal that the role made her realize Walmart was a place where she could build a career.

By age 19, Pulley advanced to operations manager. Two years after that, she stepped into her current role leading a Neighborhood Market outside Phoenix.

Pulley told Business Insider that her growth relied on showing up ready to learn and taking on tasks outside her job description. She participated in monthly calls with her market manager and got involved in succession planning.

She also volunteered to cover for store managers on their days off to gain the necessary experience. Phoenix market manager Ray Shouse told the Phoenix Business Journal that Pulley has embodied ambition, dedication, and perseverance since they first met six years ago.

“Throughout her career, she has consistently sought out mentors and development opportunities to strengthen her leadership,” Shouse said.

Pulley’s trajectory mirrors the early careers of Walmart’s top executives. Furner’s predecessor also worked his way up from an entry-level position.

Furner has highlighted the ability to embrace change as one of the most important qualities any leader can have. “As long as I’ve been in retail—it’s officially 33 years—it’s always been changing,” Furner said in an interview with Fast Company earlier this year. “Getting comfortable with change in a world that continues to change, I think, is a really great trait for any leader.”

Pulley is currently utilizing Walmart’s tuition-assistance program to finish her education. She aims to become a market manager by age 27 or 28, with future ambitions to reach the level of regional executive vice president.