The Home Depot is proud to partner with the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, a new museum in Washington, D.C., dedicated to celebrating stories of perseverance, opportunity, and achievement.
As part of this collaboration, The Home Depot associates from across the country are now featured in the center’s permanent exhibit, the American Dream Experience. Through personal interviews, associates shared what the American Dream means to them — from building fulfilling careers and supporting their families to pursuing education and giving back to their communities.
For Crystal Hanlon, senior vice president and chief culture officer at The Home Depot, a single decision turned a paycheck into a purpose, and a career into proof that opportunity can scale as far as ambition. We sat down with Crystal to learn more about what has made her stay at the company for more than 40 years. You can watch Crystal’s full video here.
Crystal Hanlon
From Cashier to Leader
For Crystal, retail wasn’t a stopgap—it was a launchpad. Her story is proof that when culture meets opportunity, careers don’t just grow—they transform lives. Read her perspective on culture, resilience, and leadership below.
Q: You didn’t plan to stay in retail. What has changed?
Hanlon: I walked in for a job—$5 an hour—to pay my bills. I was supposed to leave. Then we built a wheelchair ramp for a child in our community. When he used it for the first time, the joy on his face… it hit me. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a job. It was something bigger.
Q: What kept you there?
Hanlon: The people. The culture. It felt like family. Leaders invested in me. Teammates showed up for each other. It didn’t feel transactional—it felt meaningful. And I stayed.
Q: You’ve grown from cashier to leading at the highest level. What made that possible?
Hanlon: Opportunity—and people who believed in me. I didn’t come from a business background. I was going to be a physical therapist. But I was curious—and I raised my hand.
I learned by doing:
- Every role in the store
- Every level of leadership
- Every part of the business
Q: You’ve seen massive growth. How do you keep the culture intact?
Hanlon: You tell the stories. Culture isn’t policies—it’s people. It’s the associate who starts at the front end and ends up running a business. It’s the team that shows up in a crisis. If you stop telling those stories, you lose who you are.
Q: What defines the American dream to you?
Hanlon: It’s the ability to start with nothing and build a life. Not just financially—but:
- Taking care of your family
- Giving back
- Making a difference
I’ve lived that. And I’ve seen thousands of others do the same.
Q: What do you look for in talent?
Hanlon: Heart. You can teach skills; you can teach business…but you can’t teach someone to care. I look for people who:
- Want to help
- Show up with energy
- Take pride in what they do
Q: Your story starts with resilience. How did your early life shape your leadership?
Hanlon: I lost my mom at nine. I had to grow up fast. My sisters became my foundation. They taught me loyalty, grit, and how to show up for people. That shaped everything about how I lead today.
Q: After more than 40 years, what still motivates you?
Hanlon: Making a difference. Titles don’t matter to me. If people say I cared about helping others—that’s success.
Watch the Full Story
Hear directly from Crystal—and see how moments like these shaped a decades-long journey.
Presented through the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream.
Discover more stories of resilience, opportunity and impact through the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream.
