Rosalind “Roz” Brewer is the only black CEO in the 2021 Fortune 500 list. She is poised to take her career to the next level in March 2021 as the new CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA). Her recent role as the first woman and the first African-American COO of Starbucks is notable for her lasting contribution to policy implementation and racial bias training at the workplace. Before that, she was the President and CEO of Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart. Early in her career, she worked with Kimberly-Clark and Walmart.
Brewer brings a well-rounded retail experience to the coveted executive position at one of the largest pharmacy store chains in the U.S. Her pragmatic leadership skills and impressive work earned her accolades from peers and other top executives. She was listed at No. 48 on Forbes 2020 Power Women list. What she has accomplished as a woman of color is a testimony to her talent and resilience. As they say, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
What it takes to be a female CEO
Gender diversity is no longer a discussion topic in corporate America. Businesses in the U.S. are opening up to a more inclusive work environment that celebrates diverse talent and provides them with meaningful growth opportunities. However, female executives typically have to work much harder and prove themselves repeatedly to establish their potential for C-suite positions.
For Brewer, the path to success was not always smooth. She encountered bumpy rides from time to time but navigated several challenges with innovation and inclusion. From a trusted strategic counselor to a tech-savvy leader, she made a great addition to the executive team and an effective role model for employees. She knew how to break the glass ceiling the right way.
Career and leadership style
Brewer is known for her business acumen and relationship-building skills. She is a frank communicator who encourages direct conversations and strives for diversity and inclusion at the workplace. She is also known for introducing user-friendly services and strengthening consumer engagement. A lot of value she added in her previous roles continues to guide her toward creating a holistic vision for her future endeavors.
Her exemplary guidance at Sam’s Club saw impressive growth in the number of stores. At Starbucks, she was instrumental in empowering employees with valuable insights. Her commitment to building diverse teams once attracted criticism, but businesses are now looking at the immense benefits of having an inclusive audience in the boardroom.
In her own words, she brings her “head and heart to work.” Her professionalism and empathy are some of the reasons why her colleagues love to work with her. Several initiatives such as curbside pickup service and easy checkout improved customer satisfaction and resulted in measurable outcomes for organizations she worked with during her long career.
It is not surprising that Brewer leads a trail of innovation and inspires everyone with a down-to-earth attitude and a go-getter spirit. She is driving a new corporate culture, a culture that transforms employee engagement and customer experience.
A champion of diversity and inclusion
If there is a leader who champions Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at every level, it’s got to be Brewer. Did she come across any bias working her way up the corporate ladder? Yes. And how she fought the bias is what defines true leadership. As a Black woman, she has had her share of getting mistaken a lot. She once described how “people assume you’re in the wrong place.” Recalling an incident at an exclusive CEO roundtable, she described how a fellow CEO continued their conversation without acknowledging her role. When her bio was read, it left the fellow CEO speechless.
Personal life and education
Brewer was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She was the youngest of five children. She studied at Cass Technical High School, Detroit, and Spelman College, Atlanta. Early in her childhood, she imbibed a strong work ethic from her parents, who stressed the importance of education for personal and professional growth. Brewer’s technical and people management skills helped her evolve as a top leader with years of industry expertise.
An early riser, she meditates regularly and believes in leading a value-driven life. She is married to John Brewer. Striking a work-life balance was not easy. Over the years, they have supported each other in raising their children and nurturing a positive family environment.
A voice to be heard
What advice does Rosalind Brewer have for women aspiring for corporate success? “Stay steadfast,” she says and encourages them to use their talent in conjunction with richer conversations for results that matter. She believes in empowering women and helping their voices to be heard, not just in the boardroom but in the community as well.
This is a moment to celebrate the moment of gender diversity. When women embrace top leadership positions across organizations, they inspire several others to follow in their footsteps. Being natural multitaskers and resourceful strategists, women have an innate skill to enrich the present and shape the future.
The only Black woman leading a Fortune 500 company did not achieve success on a platter. She pushed through adversity with dedication and humility. Along the way, she turned obstacles into opportunities. Her actions speak louder than words. She knows how to make her work speak for itself and advocate for gender and racial equity. During a speech at her alma mater, she told the graduating class of how they find themselves as “Black women in a white male world.”
When you want to make a tangible difference across an organization, you need to lead by example. Brewer’s career journey as a successful American businesswoman is a testimony to her relentless pursuit of women’s empowerment. She has shown what it takes to demonstrate true leadership. She is a beacon of hope for anyone who believes in going the extra mile, today and beyond.