First Black Woman to lead an S&P 500 company, as (former) CEO of Walgreens
Rosalind Brewer
Rosalind Brewer, widely known as Roz, is an American businesswoman who has shattered glass ceilings throughout her career. She served as the CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) from 2021 to September 2023, making her the first Black woman to lead a company in the S&P 500. Throughout her impressive journey, she has also held top leadership positions at other major corporations like Starbucks and Walmart.
Born in 1962 in Detroit, Michigan, Brewer was the youngest of five children and the first generation in her family to attend college. She earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Spelman College and later graduated from Stanford Law School. Her initial career path took her to Kimberly-Clark Corporation, where she honed her skills in the chemical industry before transitioning to the retail sector.
Brewer's rise in the retail world was meteoric. She held various executive positions at Walmart, eventually becoming the first Black woman to lead a company division. In 2012, she made another historic move by becoming the CEO of Sam's Club, Walmart's warehouse membership club. Under her leadership, Sam's Club underwent a significant modernization, embracing e-commerce and implementing popular services like online grocery ordering.
2017, Brewer joined Starbucks as its chief operating officer and group president. During her tenure, she was pivotal in implementing sweeping changes, including racial bias training for employees and expanding access to healthcare benefits. She also played a vital role in the company's digital transformation and international expansion.
In 2021, Brewer reached the pinnacle of her career when she was appointed CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, a global leader in pharmacy and retail healthcare. Her time at the helm was marked by a focus on innovation, community engagement, and improving access to healthcare services for underserved communities. However, in September 2023, Brewer stepped down from her position at WBA after two years.
Despite her recent departure from WBA, Brewer's legacy remains intact. She is widely recognized as a trailblazer in corporate America, a champion for diversity and inclusion, and a role model for aspiring business leaders. Numerous publications, including Forbes, have lauded her achievements, which consistently ranked her among the "100 Most Powerful Women in the World."
Here are some key takeaways about Rosalind Brewer:
Shattered glass ceilings: She was the first Black woman to lead a company in the S&P 500 (Walgreens Boots Alliance) and held top leadership positions at other major corporations like Starbucks and Walmart.
Champion for diversity and inclusion: She has been a vocal advocate for diversity in the workplace and has implemented initiatives to promote inclusion at the companies she has led.
Focus on innovation and community engagement: Her leadership has been marked by a commitment to innovation in the retail and healthcare sectors and a focus on serving the needs of local communities.
Role model for aspiring business leaders: Her success story and dedication to community service inspire young people, particularly women and minorities, to pursue careers in business and leadership.
Rosalind Brewer's journey is not only an inspiring personal story but also a testament to the progress made in diversity and inclusion in corporate America. As she continues her career, seeing how she leverages her experience and expertise to impact the world further will be interesting.