Rosalind Brewer has officially taken over as CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance as of March 15. The company, which operates more than 21,000 stories across more than 25 countries, is one of the biggest retail and wholesale pharmacy leaders.
Brewer’s appointment as CEO of WBA was previously announced in late January. She succeeds Stefano Pessina, who transitioned to the role of executive chairman of the board of WBA. Brewer––who is now the only Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, according to CNN Business––previously served as president CEO of Sam’s Club and most recently as chief operating officer, group president and member of the board of directors of Starbucks.
“She is a distinguished and experienced executive who has led organizations globally through periods of changing consumer behavior by applying innovation that elevates customer experiences––ultimately driving significant and sustainable growth and value creation,” Pessina said in a January statement. “Her relentless focus on the customer, talent development, operational rigor and strong expertise in digital and technological transformation are exactly what WBA needs as the company enters its next chapter.”
Brewer joins the company as Walgreens continues to roll out its COVID-19 vaccine program. The company was chosen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide a limited number of COVID-19 vaccinations across 15 states under the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.
Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, Walgreens was undergoing a major shift in its approach to in-store clinics. During a quarterly earnings call toward the end of the year, Walgreens announced it would close its own walk-in clinics and keep clinics operated by other healthcare providers. The effort to outsource medical services in its stores was part of a cost-cutting measure to reduce $1.8 billion in annual costs by 2022. In 2020, Walgreens expanded in-store doctor offices with VillageMD and hired a new chief medical officer.
“The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and I am excited to work alongside the entire WBA team as we deliver further innovation and positively impact the lives of millions of people around the world every day,” Brewer said in a statement. “This is especially true today as the company plays a crucial role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."