On April 3, 2025, Beth Keck, a Fellow at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) China Global Research Center and former Senior Director for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Sustainability at Walmart, delivered a lecture to students enrolled in the Creative and Innovative Policy Analysis for Decision-Making Elites course required for the Tsinghua-Johns Hopkins SAIS Dual Master’s Degree in Global Politics and Economics (TSDM). She engaged the scholars in in-depth discussions on career development, sustainability, and the role of multinational corporations in geopolitics.
Professor Beth Keck has extensive experience in international business, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). During her time at Walmart, she led the global Women’s Economic Empowerment initiative, aiming to train one million women for the workforce. She also served as Walmart’s Senior Director for Sustainability to advance the company’s international sustainability strategies, including landmark sustainable agriculture initiatives and the responsible sourcing program in China. Prior to joining Walmart in 2004, she worked in China for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing.
She has also served as the Volkswagen Professor of Sustainability at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University, and a Practitioner-in-Residence with the China Studies Program of Johns Hopkins SAIS. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Her first trip to China took place during her graduate studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, sparking her long-term academic focus on the country. She holds a Master’s degree in China Studies from Johns Hopkins SAIS and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
In her lecture, Professor Keck described the evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)—from initial charitable giving to today’s strategic integration of environmental and social concerns into core business operations aimed at creating shared value. She emphasized that companies must go beyond passive philanthropy and actively incorporate social problem-solving into their business models.
Professor Keck addressed the urgent challenges of climate change, stressing that human activities—especially industrial operations and consumption patterns—are key drivers. She called for collaborative action by businesses and governments worldwide to confront the climate crisis, citing examples from different regions around the globe.
The discussion also touched on the complex challenges faced by developing countries, particularly regarding how they must balance economic growth with sustainability goals. The conversation reflected the diverse approaches different industries and enterprises take toward sustainability. In addition, Professor Keck shared her personal reflections on working in sustainability, highlighting the importance of family, well-being, and aligning one’s professional goals with broader environmental and social responsibilities. She encouraged young people to pursue careers that resonate with their personal values, considering not only career success but also long-term impacts on society and the environment.
At the end of the lecture, faculty and students took a group photo with Beth Keck and warmly thanked her for her inspiring talk. Students expressed that they had greatly benefited from the discussion, gaining clearer direction for their future studies and careers. Many looked forward to more opportunities for dialogue and collaboration to advance international development and cooperation.