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Rosalind “Roz” Brewer stands as a towering figure in the world of business, known for breaking barriers and rewriting the rules of corporate leadership. Recognised as one of the most powerful and influential women in business, Brewer has consistently challenged the status quo. She is one of the few African American women to have held CEO roles in Fortune 500 companies and served on the boards of top-tier global corporations. Her journey, which started in the laboratories of Kimberly-Clark and led her to the C-suite of retail giants like Sam’s Club, Starbucks, and Walgreens Boots Alliance, showcases her resilience, intelligence, and unwavering commitment to equity.
A seasoned chemist turned executive, Brewer’s story is more than just a corporate climb—it’s a narrative of breaking glass ceilings and building bridges for others to follow. As the former CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, she became the only Black woman leading an S&P 500 company at the time. Her leadership has always emphasised innovation, operational excellence, and the vital importance of inclusion.
Brewer’s rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed. She has earned accolades from Forbes, Fortune, and Black Enterprise, frequently appearing on their lists of top business leaders. What makes her journey exceptional isn’t just her success—it’s the legacy she is creating for women of colour in boardrooms worldwide.
Early Life and Education of Rosalind Brewer
Rosalind Brewer was born in Detroit, Michigan, a city that shaped much of her early understanding of resilience, ambition, and community strength. Raised in a working-class African American family, Brewer was the youngest of five children. Her parents placed a strong emphasis on education and work ethic, values that would serve as cornerstones in her future corporate journey.
Detroit during Brewer’s formative years was a hub for the automotive industry and a melting pot of entrepreneurial spirit. Brewer was naturally inclined toward science and mathematics from a young age. Her passion led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Spelman College, a historically Black women’s college in Atlanta, Georgia. She credits Spelman for reinforcing her sense of identity, leadership, and excellence.
At Spelman, Brewer not only excelled academically but also developed a profound understanding of the importance of representation and social responsibility. She later pursued advanced management programs at prestigious institutions like the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Harvard Business School, where she sharpened her executive and strategic thinking skills.
While many of her peers opted for more traditional business paths, Brewer’s scientific background gave her a unique edge. Her education was not just about acquiring knowledge but about leveraging it to create change, particularly for underrepresented groups.
Brewer’s academic journey laid the groundwork for her future roles. The discipline she cultivated as a chemist would later translate into strategic thinking and problem-solving in boardrooms. Spelman’s nurturing environment and Detroit’s tenacity were both instrumental in molding a future CEO who would make history, not only through her achievements but also through the doors she would open for others.
Rosalind Brewer’s Career Path: From Chemist to CEO
Rosalind Brewer’s corporate journey began at Kimberly-Clark Corporation, where she worked as a research scientist. This early experience in product development taught her the value of precision, innovation, and collaboration. Over the course of 22 years at the company, Brewer held several executive positions, gaining a robust foundation in operations and product management.
Her major breakthrough came when she transitioned to Walmart, where she quickly rose through the ranks. In 2012, Brewer was appointed President and CEO of Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart Inc. This historic appointment made her the first African American to lead a Walmart division. During her tenure, she emphasized technology integration and promoted healthier product offerings, aligning the brand with evolving consumer needs.
Following her success at Sam’s Club, Brewer joined Starbucks in 2017 as Chief Operating Officer and Group President. At Starbucks, she was responsible for operations across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. She played a crucial role in modernizing operations, streamlining supply chains, and enhancing customer experience. Brewer’s time at Starbucks was marked by bold decisions, including leading anti-bias training programs after a controversial racial incident at a Philadelphia store.
In 2021, Rosalind Brewer was named CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, becoming the only Black woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company at the time. At Walgreens, she steered the company through the COVID-19 pandemic, expanded healthcare offerings, and advanced digital transformation strategies.
Brewer’s career is a testament to strategic leadership, resilience, and transformation. From lab coat to power suit, her evolution illustrates how a foundation in science, combined with a commitment to values and visionary leadership, can elevate someone to the highest echelons of global business.
Breaking Barriers: Brewer’s Impact on Diversity and Inclusion in Business
Rosalind Brewer has not only risen to the top of corporate hierarchies—she’s taken diversity and inclusion with her. In a landscape where Black female CEOS are nearly non-existent, Brewer has consistently used her platform to advocate for systemic change. Her leadership is defined not only by metrics but also by the cultural shifts she champions within organisations.
At Sam’s Club, she made headlines when she openly spoke about the need for supplier and vendor diversity. Her comments sparked both praise and controversy, but Brewer remained steadfast in her belief: representation matters, not just within companies but across their entire value chains. This stance showed her courage and commitment to using her influence to challenge long-standing norms.
During her time at Starbucks, she became a leading voice for corporate accountability in diversity. After the infamous 2018 incident in Philadelphia, where two Black men were arrested unjustly, Brewer led the design and implementation of Starbucks’ nationwide racial bias training. This unprecedented move set a benchmark in corporate America for responding to issues of racism with action, not just statements.
At Walgreens, she pushed for increased representation at every level—from store managers to the C-suite. Under her leadership, the company announced a series of initiatives aimed at promoting health equity in underserved communities.
Brewer also frequently mentors emerging leaders, especially women of colour, through networks like the Executive Leadership Council and Spelman College alumni programs. She understands that visibility is power and that each barrier she breaks makes space for others.
Her influence goes beyond her own companies. Brewer is a symbol of what’s possible when leadership is diverse, and her continued efforts ensure that others not only dream big but have a fair chance to achieve those dreams.
Awards, Achievements, and Recognition in Rosalind Brewer’s Career
Rosalind Brewer’s extraordinary contributions to the corporate world have earned her numerous awards and honors that highlight her influence, leadership, and pioneering achievements. Her recognition is not just a celebration of her personal success but also a spotlight on her broader impact on business and society.
Brewer has consistently been featured in Forbes’ “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” and Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women in Business.” These accolades reflect her strategic prowess and trailblazing leadership in male-dominated industries. She has also been recognized by Black Enterprise, which named her one of the most impactful African American executives of our time.
In 2021, Brewer was included in TIME magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People, a testament to her broad-reaching influence beyond boardrooms. Her inclusion celebrated not just her business accomplishments but also her activism for racial equity and gender inclusion.
She has served on the boards of powerful organizations, including Amazon, Spelman College, and Catalyst Inc., each appointment signaling trust in her judgment and leadership. Brewer also received the Spelman College National Community Service Award, recognizing her continued investment in mentoring and education for women of color.
In 2022, she was honored with the Executive Leadership Council’s Achievement Award, one of the highest honors given to African American executives. Additionally, she’s been a keynote speaker at international forums, from CNBC’s Work Summit to the World Economic Forum, where she shares her insights on leadership, equity, and innovation.
Brewer’s accolades are not just milestones—they’re markers of a purposeful journey. They celebrate a woman who not only leads with excellence but also uplifts others, drives meaningful change, and redefines what leadership looks like in the modern era.
Rosalind Brewer’s Leadership Style and Legacy
Rosalind Brewer’s leadership style is characterized by authenticity, transparency, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to people. She is often described as a “servant leader”—someone who places the needs of employees, customers, and communities at the forefront of every decision.
One of her defining traits is her ability to lead with both empathy and efficiency. During her time at Starbucks and Walgreens, she implemented people-first strategies that emphasized employee engagement, racial equity, and community outreach while maintaining operational excellence. Brewer believes in leading by example—whether that means stepping into crisis management roles herself or initiating difficult conversations about race, equity, and inclusion at the highest corporate levels.
She is also known for championing mentorship. At every company she has led, Brewer has invested in leadership development programs that particularly support women and minority professionals. She’s made it clear that creating a pipeline of diverse leadership is not just a mission—it’s a necessity for future success.
Brewer’s legacy will be defined not only by the companies she led but by how she changed them. She modernized operations, digitized outdated systems, and expanded healthcare services at Walgreens—all while pushing for an inclusive and equitable workplace culture. Her leadership is future-facing, with a deep understanding that the next generation of leaders will need to be culturally competent, digitally fluent, and ethically grounded.
In every role, Brewer has demonstrated that success and social responsibility can go hand-in-hand. Her legacy is not just about being “the first”—it’s about ensuring she won’t be the last. Rosalind Brewer has created a blueprint for inclusive leadership in the 21st century, and her influence will echo in boardrooms, business schools, and communities for years to come.
Rosalind Brewer’s biography is a testament to what vision, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership can achieve. From her early days in Detroit to becoming one of the most influential Black female executives in the world, Brewer has continuously broken barriers, redefined leadership, and championed equity at every level. Her legacy is not just measured in titles or accolades, but in the tangible change she has initiated—be it through mentorship, diversity-driven hiring, or transformative corporate strategies.
Brewer’s journey from a chemist to the CEO of Fortune 500 companies proves that leadership is not defined by traditional paths but by one’s ability to adapt, lead with empathy, and commit to impactful change. She has not only set new standards in business excellence but also made corporate spaces more inclusive and forward-thinking.
Her story serves as a beacon for young professionals, especially women of colour, showing that it is possible to rise, lead, and leave a lasting impact. As the business world continues to evolve, Rosalind Brewer remains a powerful reminder that leadership rooted in integrity, equity, and bold decision-making is the kind that truly transforms industries—and lives.