By Chris Bobbitt, Walmart U.S. Broadcast Manager
In the latest episode of our Give Me A W podcast, I sit down with Harvey Ma—Vice President and General Manager of Sam’s Club Member Access Platform—for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation. In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we dive into personal stories, cultural roots, and what it really means to be part of a team at Walmart and Sam’s Club.
A Journey Across Cultures and Careers
Harvey takes us through his unique background—from growing up in different parts of the U.S. to embracing his Chinese heritage. He shares stories about his father’s mission work in Taiwan and how that influenced his own path to the University of Texas at Austin. Having moved through fifteen cities before settling in Bentonville, Harvey’s story is all about flexibility, resilience, and discovering leadership through life’s twists and turns.
Unexpected Hobbies and Breaking Stereotypes
One of my favorite parts of our chat? Learning that Harvey’s a huge fan of ice hockey! Not exactly what you'd expect from someone with Asian roots living in Arkansas, right? He got his start as a figure skater thanks to his family, and that eventually led him to the rink as a hockey player and coach for his son. We also talk about the oh-so-familiar piano lessons many of us in the AANHPI community grew up with, and how those experiences shaped who we are today.
Mentorship, Imposter Syndrome, and Growing Your Career
We both get real about imposter syndrome and the role mentorship plays in navigating it. Harvey shares the difference between mentors—those trusted people who offer honest advice—and sponsors, who advocate for you and open doors. He makes a great point that mentoring goes both ways: it’s just as rewarding for the mentor as it is for the mentee.
Advice to Fellow AANHPI Professionals
If you’re early in your career (or even mid-way through), you’ll want to hear this part. Harvey encourages us to find a purpose that’s bigger than ourselves and to learn from cultural expectations without letting them box us in. He talks about the pressure to follow traditional paths like medicine or engineering, and how stepping off that track led him to a career he genuinely loves in retail and media.
Family Stories That Shape Us
We also get a little personal. I share memories of my Korean grandmother—tough love and piggyback rides included—and Harvey opens up about discovering a new level of admiration for his great uncle, who flew planes in Taiwan on behalf of the military and the CIA. It’s a reminder of how deeply our families shape our values and perspectives.
Leading with Empathy and Realistic Expectations
Harvey drops one of the most valuable leadership lessons he’s learned: meet people where they are. Instead of holding everyone to the same high bar from the start, great leaders help each person grow from their unique starting point. It’s a mindset shift that’s made a big impact on how he leads.
Give Me A W is all about showcasing the culture, heart, and teamwork behind Walmart and Sam’s Club. This episode isn’t just a celebration of AANHPI heritage—it’s a celebration of growth, identity, and the stories that connect us.
Take a listen to the full episode, and don’t forget to share your own story or leave us a review on your favorite podcast app.
Happy AANHPI Heritage Month from all of us at Walmart & Sam’s Club Radio!
Podcast Highlights
03:20 Charming Arkansas: A Pleasant Surprise
07:13 Embracing Imposter Syndrome at Work
11:38 Breaking Asian Career Stereotypes
13:49 Grandmother's Piggyback Rides & Tooth Pulls
17:04 Elevating Team Potential
