Rosalind Brewer has been appointed as the new chief executive of global health and pharmacy company Walgreens Boots Alliance.
Brewer is currently chief operating officer, group president and board director at coffee company Starbucks. She is a former director of Amazon, Lockheed Martin and Molson Coors Brewing Company.
She succeeds Stefano Pessina, who will become executive chairman of the board.
Brewer will take up her new role in March, and will lead the company as it rolls out its Covid-19 vaccination campaign. She will be the only African-American woman running an S&P 500 company.
Pessina said in a statement: “The board conducted an extensive search to identify an exceptional leader who will build on WBA’s track-record of success and take advantage of the many growth opportunities in many markets across the company. We are excited to have found that person in Roz.
“She is a distinguished and experienced executive who has led organisations globally through periods of changing consumer behaviour by applying innovation that elevates customer experiences—ultimately driving significant and sustainable growth and value creation.”