Rob and Melani Walton Discuss Philanthropy and Partnerships, From Local to Global T he Rob and Melani Walton Foundation is an organization whose work can be seen here in our Phoenix community and around the world. Created by Rob and Melani Walton, the foundation is an example of how this couple is driven by their philanthropic work. M elani Walton is passionate about supporting innovation in education, arts and humanities, brain health, consciousness studies, well-being, conservation and sustainability. She serves and has served on a number of boards and committees, including the Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives at ASU, Arizona Science Center, Arizona Women’s Forum, Conservation International, National Park Foundation, Phoenix Symphony, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, St. Vincent de Paul and The Nature Conservancy. R ob Walton is co-chairman of the Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University. In addition to his work through the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation, he is involved in environmental issues as a member of the Conservation International board of directors and through the Walton Family Foundation. Rob served as chairman of Walmart from 1992 to 2015. Rob and Melani were kind enough to kick off 2019 with a conversation with Frontdoors . In it, they opened up about their love of nature and the environment, the power of the arts, and the spirit that guides the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation. 20 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JANUARY 2019 20 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JANUARY 2019 COVER STORY

Frontdoors: Tell us about your love for nature. Did you always enjoy being outdoors? MELANI: I grew up on a ranch in Montana — Big Sky Country — and spent most of my childhood outdoors. Riding horses was a part of life, from checking on our cattle and farmlands to weekend competition and shows. Also, my father was a banker for ranch and agricultural loans throughout the northwest region of the U.S. so we traveled extensively. Our summer vacations were spent touring over a dozen national parks. And every summer to this day we visit the Badlands and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. A lot of my views, and the issues I care about now, were influenced by living with nature and having a strong connection to the land. ROB: I grew up in northwest Arkansas, being influenced by my father and mother, who loved the outdoors. Our family spent a lot of time visiting really special places, like the Buffalo River in Arkansas, which was the country’s first National River. When I was young, my parents would pack my brothers and sister into a station wagon and go camping all around the country — to Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, the Grand Canyon. A lot of the personal interests I’ve developed over the years grew out of the things we did outdoors, as a family. Frontdoors: Why did you decide to start a personal foundation? MELANI: We’re lifelong believers in giving back, helping others. Both of our families instilled those Melani and Rob Walton with their Italian Greyhounds Lulu and Jazzy. Credit: Allison Jones JANUARY 2019 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 21