Deidra C. Merriwether is the CEO and Chief Financial Officer at W.W. Grainger, Inc., where she has been driving growth since her appointment in January 2021. With a strong background in finance, she came from the role of Senior Vice...

Deidra C. Merriwether is the CEO and Chief Financial Officer at W.W. Grainger, Inc., where she has been driving growth since her appointment in January 2021. With a strong background in finance, she came from the role of Senior Vice President for North American Sales and Services, showing her deep understanding of the company's operations. One interesting aspect of her time at Grainger is how she has been able to boost the company's performance metrics, particularly in sales growth and return on invested capital. Her compensation reflects this success; in 2023, she earned around $3.68 million, with a significant portion coming from stock awards that vested based on how well the company performed. While she focuses on managing financial strategies, it's worth noting that her insider trading activities show sharp insights. For instance, her stock holdings grew from about $2.40 million in value back in September 2019 to over $9 million by late 2023. This consistent upward trend indicates her confidence in the company’s direction and strategies. Merriwether also contributes outside of work as a board member of Weyerhaeuser Company, further showcasing her leadership capabilities.