Loretta Young Walker is the executive vice president and chief people officer for MedStar Health. She oversees all Human Resources (HR) activities for 34,000 associates across MedStar Health's 10 hospitals, outpatient care locations and diversified operations. Balancing the needs for traditional HR support with innovative and strategic HR-business minded leadership, she implements HR strategies for the entire spectrum of the system, respecting both organizational growth and operational efficiencies.
Walker brings more than 30 years of HR experience to MedStar Health. She previously served as vice president, Human Resources, The Americas, for W.W. Grainger, Inc., a Fortune 500 industrial supply company and business-to-business distributor of products used to maintain, repair and operate facilities. Walker spent the majority of her career with Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a global media company best known for its brands and businesses, such as CNN, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, and Bleacher Report, serving in a variety of HR executive positions before becoming the chief human resources officer for Turner’s domestic and international operations in more than 20 countries. Prior to her long tenure at Turner, Walker began and grew her career at Bellsouth Corporation.
Walker holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in computer information systems from Auburn University and a Master of Business Administration from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Walker previously served on the Board of Directors for Cancer Treatment Centers of America— Midwest Region, and as an executive advisory board member at Mississippi State University School of Business. She is also currently a member of the Trinity College Board of Trustees. In addition, she served as a member of the Atlanta Housing Board. Business to Business Magazine honored Walker with an IMPACT Award in 2011, and Diversity Best Practices recognized Walker with its Diversity Officer Leadership Award.