Michelle Hargis Wolfe Named First Chief People Officer

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Michelle Hargis Wolfe

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Michelle Hargis Wolfe has been selected as the U of A's first chief people officer, effective Feb. 1, 2023. She will join the university after spending nearly 20 years with Walmart Inc., including time leading human resources for several large divisions.

"Michelle has a long track record supporting large and complex organizations, making data-based decisions, leading transformational change and contributing to a strong culture," said Ann Bordelon, executive vice chancellor for finance and administration. "Her expertise and experience will enrich our university, and ultimately further our efforts to become an employer of choice."

In her most recent role at Walmart, Hargis Wolfe served as a senior director for Enterprise Business Services, where she oversaw supplier onboarding, master data management strategy and operations, and realty construction contract and project management. Prior to that, she spent 10 years heading HR operations for Walmart Finance, Global Shared Services, International Logistics, Global Innovations and Global Business Processes.

Holding a Juris Doctor degree, Hargis Wolfe also has more than a decade of legal counsel experience between both Walmart and firms, where she prepared cases for various civil rights and employment-related topics. She contributed to increasing diverse representation at a local law firm in Denver, as well as growing Walmart's partnerships with minority-owned law firms and general contractors in her roles with the retailer.

A Little Rock native, Hargis Wolfe earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arkansas after graduating from Little Rock Central High School. She received her master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Denver. Hargis Wolfe has served on various boards, including a five-year stint with the Arkansas Research Alliance and her current role as the Board Secretary for Horses for Healing NWA.

"I am appreciative of Margaret Sova McCabe and her efforts leading the search, while maintaining a variety of other roles and responsibilities in service to our campus community," Bordelon said. "I'd also like to express my gratitude for Debbie McLoud and her dedicated leadership as the associate vice chancellor of human resources, as well as in her ongoing role as the chief transformation officer."

"Debbie helped us lay the foundation to transition our human resources function into a valued and trusted People organization. Under Michelle's guidance, I look forward to seeing how this team further strengthens its role as a strategic partner to the university, and ultimately enhances the overall employee experience," she said.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.