Amanda Coussoule, Kimberly-Clark's customer vice president for Walmart and Sam's Club, grew up in a family with a proud history of service. Her dad served in the U.S. Army, her uncle served in the U.S. Navy, and her grandfather served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and later the U.S. Air Force. In keeping with the family tradition of service, Amanda joined the Army through an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
"I was so excited about being immersed in the history of West Point. As an avenue to service to the nation, it was an exciting option for a high school senior," Amanda said.
Upon graduation from West Point, she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Transportation Corps. She completed more than five years of active duty, reaching the rank of Captain. While in uniform, she learned the incalculable value of clarity of mission, objective and purpose, which she brought to her civilian career.
After leaving the Army, Amanda began a career in sales and quickly found it was a great fit for her skills and interests. Her Army leadership experience helped her to better collaborate with others, motivate diverse teams, and develop plans to deliver wins. She spent 14 years working with large consumer packaged goods and food companies before joining Kimberly-Clark in 2017.
"Kimberly-Clark is a place I can grow my career and be a part of an organization with a strong culture and values, which is very similar to the U.S. Army," Amanda said. "Loyalty, Duty and Integrity, three of the stated Army values, are critical to developing the trust that a unit must have in their leader. Similarly, We Care, and We Act echo these Army values and set a standard for high, ethical behavior. This is part of what makes Kimberly-Clark an amazing place to work as a veteran."
Amanda believes Kimberly-Clark truly values employees who have served or are currently serving in the military. Kimberly-Clark's enhanced military benefits support all of our military reservists. Kimberly-Clark's SALUTE (Service Alliance Uniting Together) Employee Resource Group, open to veterans and supporters, helps recruit veterans, provides resources, and supports veteran organizations. From participating in the annual golf outing in Wisconsin to sending words of encouragement through a letter-writing campaign for deployed soldiers, Amanda has personally contributed to Kimberly-Clark’s support of veterans. SALUTE provides a sense of camaraderie in the culture that is reminiscent of her time in uniform.
Amanda takes pride in knowing veterans can find a fulfilling career at Kimberly-Clark where they are valued for both their service to their country and the unique skills and experience they bring to the company. Relentless focus on achieving the mission combined with caring for our most our people are behaviors as valuable at Kimberly-Clark as they were in the Army.
"My work is much more than just a job. Knowing that Kimberly-Clark is committed to something bigger than just selling more product is tremendously fulfilling.”
She added, “Part of the ethos of service is the willingness to put others ahead of yourself, and there are echoes of that selflessness in our purpose of Better Care for a Better World. It’s a great fit for veterans and the values ingrained during our time in uniform."