Walmart Foundation exec to take reins at OMB

President Barack Obama is slated Monday morning to tap Walmart Foundation President Sylvia Mathews Burwell as the next head of the Office of Budget and Management. Reuters first reported the news, citing sources familiar with the issues.

If confirmed by the Senate, Burwell will replace Acting Director Jeffrey Zients, who has been in that role since early 2012 when then-Director Jacob Lew stepped down. Lew was sworn in Feb. 28, 2013 as the 76th secretary of the Treasury Department.

Burwell has led Walmart's philanthropic division since Oct. 14, 2011, after previously serving at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in various senior roles since 2001. Before the foundation, she served as deputy director of OMB, deputy chief of staff to President Bill Clinton and chief of staff to Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin. Burwell also was staff director for the National Economic Council from 1993 to 1995.

Mike Duke, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. congratulated Burwell on the nomination and applauded her leadership skills.

"Sylvia is a strong leader who both masters the details and has a clear vision for making big things happen," he said in a March 3 statement. "She cares deeply about people and has natural personal warmth that enables her to build relationships and drive results that deliver impact. She understands business and the role that business, government and civil society must play to build a strong economy that provides opportunity and strengthens communities across the country."