Former Co-CEO, Whole Foods Market

Principal, Stonewall Robb Advisors & Executive in Residence, S2G

With a long and varied entrepreneurial history in natural foods ranging from retailer to farmer to consultant, Walter Robb joined Whole Foods Market in 1991. In 2010, he was named Co-CEO along with John Mackey and became a member of its Board of Directors.

Growing up eating from his family’s organic garden, Robb continues to maintain his own garden and speaks with immense passion about the importance of good food in people’s lives. He has led by example, demonstrating that he means what he says about quality products and corporate responsibility. Under his administration, Whole Foods continually donated at least 5% of all annual profit, before taxes, to charity. He has also made sure that the business made regular contributions to food banks across the country to combat malnutrition and food deserts (areas of low-income areas with a low density of groceries stores).

In 2017, after Amazon purchased Whole Foods Market, Robb established Stonewall Robb Advisors and transitioned his leadership skills and knowledge to investing, mentoring and advising the next generation of food companies. In addition to being principal at Stonewall Robb Advisors, Robb is executive in residence at Seed 2 Growth (S2G), a food and agriculture venture fund for investing in entrepreneurs whose products and services meet the shifting demands for healthy and sustainable food. He also works at a variety of non-profits including Whole Kids Foundation, Whole Cities Foundation and Whole Planet Foundation.

Through his work at the Whole Kids Foundation, partnerships are formed with local schools and nutritional programs to provide kids access to salad bars and to provide teachers and administrators cooking and nutritional information. In contrast, the Whole Cities Foundation works with local organizations in the community to improve food access, understanding of nutrition, and general food education. His support for the Whole Planet Foundation aims to improve the business opportunities and livelihoods of impoverished entrepreneurs throughout the developing world. This is done through providing over $73 million in microfinance loans to over 11.5 million people in 69 countries. These loans help people improve their lives and get small businesses off the ground.

Robb speaks to audiences around the world about the importance of serving others; leadership; the primacy of building a human organization; and the importance of brand and culture. Organizations of all sizes benefit from his passionate approach to leadership and purpose-driven business.