2013 Distinguished Alumni
Andrea Brantzeg Thomas
Department of Communication Alumna, Andra Thomas was given the Distinguished Alumni Award by the College of Humanities for her efforts toward making environmental and public health sustainability a top priority for Walmart. Thomas was also awarded an honorary degree from the University of Utah.
A Utah native, Thomas received a B.A. degree in Mass Communication from the University
of Utah ('88), and later earned an MBA from Brigham Young University. She is currently
Senior Vice President Of Sustainability for Walmart Stores. Thomas is charged with
working to embed sustainability into all aspects of the company's business. Since
joining Walmart in 2007, Thomas has been committed to sustainability within the Walmart
private label business, with responsibilities for global brand, product development
and sourcing for the company's proprietary brands. She is also director of The Sustainability
Consortium, an independent, global organization developing science and tools to support
product sustainability across the consumer goods industry. Thomas has been involved
in brand management and innovation for over 18 years, including work with The Hershey
Company, Pepsico and Frito-Lay. By her own account, growing up in Utah and spending
a lot of time in the outdoors cultivated her passion for social and environmental
responsibility.
The Pax Natura foundation was also awarded at the May 2, 2013 Distinguished Alumni Luncheon for the organization's tireless efforts toward creating a more environmentally just global society. Click here to learn more.