The Sweet Side of Strategy

The Women Elevating Chocolate With Walmart

Lindt & Sprüngli has spent more than 180 years building a global reputation for premium chocolate rooted in craftsmanship, innovation, and quality — standards that continue to shape the company’s evolving U.S. business. Working closely with the Walmart merchant team and cross-functional partners at Lindt & Sprüngli’s U.S. headquarters in Stratham, New Hampshire, the Northwest Arkansas office helps drive a premium shopping experience through omni-channel strategy, strong business fundamentals, and insight-led innovations. From bringing global trends like Dubai chocolate to life to seasonal favorites like LINDOR Tiramisu (a Walmart exclusive) alongside fresh non-seasonal items exclusive to Walmart, the pace of new ideas never slows.

In Northwest Arkansas, that momentum is powered by a growing team of women whose backgrounds span category management, shopper insights, analytics, communications, and sales strategy. Together, they play a key role in how millions of Walmart shoppers discover the portfolio while embracing the confectioner’s purpose to “Enchant the World with Chocolate.” These innovative leaders pair hard work with a collaborative office culture that makes room for fun, cross-functional teamwork, and celebrating shared wins.

Get to know some of the local Lindt & Sprüngli team:

Morgan DiBasilio

Key Account Specialist, Walmart Seasonal Candy

A Northwest Arkansas native and University of Arkansas graduate, Morgan DiBasilio began her career in dentistry but admits she was quickly drawn to the fast-paced, ever-evolving CPG world. Three years after making the transition, she now supports Lindt’s Walmart Seasonal D1 Candy business, combining her love of retail, relationships, and products that spark joy. At Lindt & Sprüngli, she found a culture where teammates champion one another and celebrate wins together, shaped by leadership’s emphasis on trust, ownership, and creativity.

“What makes me most proud is being part of a brand that people associate with quality, celebration, and special moments,” she says. “There is something meaningful about contributing to products that are part of holidays, traditions, and everyday indulgences for so many families.” That connection feels especially personal for Morgan, who grew up receiving LINDOR white chocolate truffles on special occasions and still reaches for them today — a full-circle moment wrapped in a familiar gold foil wrapper.

Holly Smothers

Team Lead, Category Management
for Mass, Club, Convenience, and Dollar

For Holly Smothers, understanding people has always been the throughline of her career. After beginning in Walmart Corporate Communications, she built more than 15 years of experience across brand strategy, sales, and category leadership, intentionally seeking opportunities that would challenge her to grow as both an insights expert and a people leader. Now, she leads a team of Senior Category Managers focused on delivering shopper intelligence and strategic insights for retail partners.

“Working at Lindt & Sprüngli has allowed me to bring together everything I care about: people, growth, and products made with intention. This is a company with generations of heritage and craftsmanship behind it, yet it remains forward-thinking and deeply committed to quality.” Which is why she always keeps a glass dish of LINDOR truffles at the ready at home to share a simple indulgence of exceptional quality chocolate with her guests. “Being part of a brand that takes life’s little moments seriously and strives to deliver emotional connection with people is something I value greatly.”

Laura Remillard

National Account Manager

From the mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania to the beaches of St. Augustine, Florida, Laura Remillard fell so in love with The Sunshine State during her years at Flagler College she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. When a post-graduate internship brought her to NWA, she let the guy she started dating know of her “two-to-five-year plan” to return to Florida should the internship lead to a job. Fourteen years, three kids, and multiple promotions later, she and her now-husband have happily planted roots in the Ozarks where Lindt & Sprüngli has nurtured Laura’s career over the past decade from sales analytics to category management and now to account management.

The local office, she says, has a way of making people feel part of something bigger than themselves. “Our team has tripled since I began, yet there is still plenty of opportunity to feel like you have a direct impact on the trajectory of the business. Everyone is encouraged to share their passions with the team and ideate around how we translate them into sweet, impactful solutions for the community.”

Sarah Pendleton

Senior Category Manager, Walmart Seasonal

It took less than 18 months for Sarah Pendleton to fully embrace Northwest Arkansas and play proud tour guide when friends and family come to visit. The Cincinnati transplant forged her career across merchandising, category management, shopper insights, and advising before joining Lindt & Sprüngli’s Walmart seasonal business. Along the way, she has focused on blending data, creativity, and strong partnerships to build thoughtful stories and drive strategic change. New to the Lindt family, Sarah was immediately impressed with the company’s genuine commitment to giving back to the community, and is proud to work for a brand that shows up for every moment in life.

“Chocolate isn’t just for celebrations — it can say so many things: congratulations, I’m sorry for your loss, good luck, I’m thinking of you, I know you had a long day, I’m homesick, or even, these are just for me. It’s meaningful to know that the products I work on can reach people when they need them most, from children to senior adults.”

Brittany Gronewold

National Account Manager, Walmart Seasonal Business

Originally from Monett, Missouri, Brittany Gronewold has spent nearly a decade in Northwest Arkansas, where life stays wonderfully busy thanks to her two sons, Miles and Graham. A graduate of Missouri Southern State University, Brittany joined Lindt & Sprüngli six years ago and now leads the Walmart seasonal business, where she delights at the opportunity to blend strategy with a love for premium chocolate. With a background growing national retail partnerships and leading seasonal programs from forecasting to in-store execution, she enjoys the challenge of bringing big ideas to life for Walmart shoppers.

“Working for Lindt feels a bit like having a superpower — there’s something magical about representing a brand that sparks instant joy,” she admits. That feeling of pride has especially surrounded the launch of LINDOR Tiramisu, which debuted exclusively at Walmart for Valentine’s Day 2026 and quickly became a standout favorite. “Watching it enchant Walmart shoppers throughout the seasons has been incredibly rewarding.”