Experienced Business & Human Rights Consultant

I’m Doug Nystrom, a business & human rights expert with 30+ years of experience

With over 30 years of experience at the intersection of law, business, and human rights, I specialize in providing strategic consulting that empowers organizations to navigate complex human rights challenges. A dynamic leader, I am dedicated to driving impactful human rights strategies and enhancing corporate responsibility. Leveraging my extensive background in law, human rights, ESG strategy, and stakeholder engagement, I offer expert counsel to global clients. I have managed high-profile projects and led independent human rights assessment for international events. As the former Director of Human Rights at Walmart, I developed strategic roadmaps and improved ESG scores, demonstrating an ability to foster sustainable business practices. Passionate about creating shared value, I ensure that business success goes hand-in-hand with positive social impact. My commitment to ethical leadership and a proven track record in achieving measurable improvements in human rights performance make me a trusted advisor in the field.

Download Resume

Doug Nystrom

Email

doug@dougnystrom.com​

Phone

(202) 304-9363​

Time Zone

Central Daylight Time​

Education

Juris Doctorate​

1989

University of Georgia

Master of Divinity​

1995

Westminster Theological Seminary

Bachelor – Business Admin​

1986

Baylor University

Bar Admission​

2004-Present

Arkansas

Bar Admission

1989-2004

Georgia

Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) Credential​

2020

Level I

Recent Experience

Business & Human Rights Consultant

February 2023 – Present

Provide counsel on key human rights risks to global clients. Managed high-risk, high-profile projects, including the repayment of $1.9M to over 700 workers in Saudi Arabia and GBVH investigations in Jordan. Led an independent human rights assessments for Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany’s bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™.

Director of Human Rights

2013 – 2023

During my time at Walmart, I played a pivotal role in responsible sourcing and ESG strategy. I focused on identifying, monitoring, and mitigating high-risk human rights issues within Walmart and its global supply chain, developing tools to assess risks based on country, commodity, and factory. I oversaw over 700 structural, electrical, and fire inspections in Bangladesh and led the revision of Walmart’s Suppliers’ Manual. Additionally, I secured executive approval for the 2025 commitment on responsible recruitment, conducting on-site visits across Asia and engaging with governments and international organizations to develop programmatic solutions. In my role as Director of Human Rights and ESG Strategy & Engagement, I developed and managed comprehensive ESG strategic roadmaps, directed human rights risk management, and integrated human rights perspectives across Walmart’s global operations. I led the Human Rights Working Group, published Walmart’s first Human Rights Statement, and significantly improved Walmart’s ESG scores on multiple benchmarks, enhancing transparency and stakeholder trust. My efforts in stakeholder engagement and advocacy resulted in increased investor confidence and strengthened corporate responsibility initiatives.

My Services​

Explore the some of the tailored solutions I offer to enhance your business’s ethical and sustainable practices

01

Human Rights & ESG Strategy Development​

Craft comprehensive ESG and human rights strategies that align with your business goals and ethical standards

02

Supply Chain Risk Management & Compliance

Ensure compliance and reduce risks in your global supply chain with expert audits, risk assessments, and training programs

03

Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy​

Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders through tailored engagement and advocacy plans

Samples of My Work​

Walmart & IOM Join Efforts
Video
It’s hard to believe that forced labor exists in the world today, but it does
Article
Independent Human Rights Assessment
Belgium, Netherlands, Germany bid for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™

Endorsements​

Discover what industry leaders say about my work

I had the pleasure of working with Doug for several years to launch industry-level, innovative efforts to combat human rights issues in supply chains. Not only was he a trusted advisor, but also a consummate professional, providing balanced but highly impactful inputs & recommendations. Doug is extremely well respected in the ESG and Human Rights space by his peers and I welcome any opportunity to engage with him in the future. ​
Bob Mitchell
CEO, Global Electronics Council​
Doug is a true professional and leader in the corporate responsibility and sustainability/ESG spere. I worked with Doug in my capacity (2014-2017) as the policy lead for labor standards, human rights, sustainable development and corporate governance at the United States Council for International Business. Doug was active in our committee work at a time when there was a tremendous proliferation of soft law standards and guidance notes on global supply chains. Building on his decades of legal experience, Doug quickly absorbed this new quasi-legal terrain and began to socialize it at Walmart and help shape it in global policy circles. Doug represented Walmart in a very collegial and productive way. He is politically astute, collaborative and has developed strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders – government actors, NGOs, labor unions. I have the utmost respect for him.
Ariel Meyerstein, PhD
Head of ESG, US Bank
Companies I’ve Worked With​

Contact Me​

doug@dougnystrom.com​
+1 (202) 304-9363​
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