Growing up in a family of more than 100 brothers and sisters of diverse backgrounds and races has left a lasting imprint on Claire Babineaux-Fontenot’s life.

When asked whether her unique background had anything to do with her success, she responded, “It has everything to do with everything.”

Babineaux-Fontenot joined Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., in 2004, as Vice President of Audit and Tax Policy, and was promoted to senior vice president and the company’s chief tax officer in 2006. Prior to working for Wal-Mart, Babineaux-Fontenot worked for the law firm Adams & Reese in tax and general commercial litigation; PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP as Dispute Resolution Practice Group Leader for the Southwest Region; was appointed the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Legal Affairs for the Louisiana Department of Revenue; and worked as an Administrative Law Judge.

Even with prestigious positions and titles under her belt, Babineaux-Fontenot doesn’t hang any diplomas or awards on her wall. While she is proud of what she has accomplished, she credits much of her success to her parents, the son and daughter of Louisiana sharecroppers.

“Without the help of formal education, they ( her mother and father) found ways to use their lives. Seeing my brothers and sisters overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, made my path to success comparatively easy and far less impressive.” she said. “I really had no excuses. Even today, when I feel a little self important, I reflect on whether I’ve made a difference on the world like mom and dad. So far, the answer has always been no, but every morning when I wake up, I’m determined to try.”

That quest continues daily both personally and professionally, as illustrated in her affiliations with civic organizations like Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and the National Council for Adoption, and professional affiliations with organizations like the National Association of Black Accountants, the American Bar Association and the Councill on Taxation.

Though she is quick to admit that there are many complicated aspects to life and success, she firmly believes that attitude is the common denominator among successful people (regardless of how they define success). Babineaux-Fontenot sees the world as being divided into two groups of people. One group is comforted by excuses for failure, she says, adding that people in that group will tell you, in advance, why they are not going to be successful.

“And there is another group--a group I hope that I am in. That group expects to win. It’s the group that says ‘sure I could come up with a list of reasons why I won’t be successful, but I prefer to focus on the action steps needed to insure that I can succeed.” “One of the most important things I have learned is the influence that attitude has on success. I’ve seen more than a few eyes roll when, in the midst of some difficult task, I tell my team, ‘if we are not winning, the game must not be over yet.’ We simply don’t throw in the towel.”

With the help of Wal-Mart’s mentoring program, Babineaux-Fontenot is able to help others strive for excellence and become a part of that success-focused group, but she is also able to learn from leaders who have come before her.

“The image that best captures what mentoring means in my life is that of one hand pulling another up—that happens to be the logo for NABA. At any given time, my hand is either the one pulling or the one reaching or both. I am a student at the feet of many, many people through formal, informal and peer mentoring. In return, I serve in each of those capacities for others. It is a big circle,” she said.

“We are 2 million human beings at Wal-Mart. Some of the most extraordinary people on the planet work here. We’re always striving to do better. And it is the heart of this company, our desire to make a difference in the world that makes Wal-Mart a phenomenal company. The company’s sense of purpose reminds me of my upbringing. It pushes me everyday. I see the power of people to make a difference. I’m really at home here.”