Cashier to C-suite in four decades

Ann-Marie Campbell started at Home Depot in 1985 making $4.15 an hour as a part-time cashier. She's now senior executive vice president earning over $1 million annually.

She almost didn't apply

A Jamaican immigrant in South Florida, Campbell applied to Home Depot to help pay for college while earning $3.35 an hour elsewhere. She was hired and grew to love the work.

The climb through the ranks

Campbell became a store and district manager in the 1990s, then moved into corporate roles in the 2000s. By 2016, she was named executive vice president for U.S. stores and international operations.

Love your work, build your career

Campbell credits her 40-year tenure to finding work she genuinely enjoyed. She told students that jobs become careers when you do something you love and use your strengths to create opportunities.

“Jobs become careers when you do something you love.”

Three lessons from the climb

Campbell says her rise came down to working hard, genuinely connecting with people, and never stopping learning. She also emphasizes showing up, keeping up, and speaking up.

“Hard work opens the door, but you can't do it alone.”

Learning to ask for help

As a district manager in the late 1990s, Campbell nearly quit while raising two young children and managing 13 stores. Her boss offered help, teaching her that success requires asking for support.

“You have to ask people for help. I wasn't good at that.”

Paying it forward

Campbell now believes in stretching out a hand to help others climb. She encourages workers to raise their hands for tough challenges and believes in pulling others up as they advance.

“We have to stretch our hand out and help someone, pull someone up.”

Why her story resonates now

Campbell's 40-year journey at Home Depot went viral on social media as a counterpoint to job-hopping culture. She's currently leading the company's day-to-day operations while CEO Ted Decker is on medical leave.