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Roz Brewer grew up on the west side of Detroit as the youngest of five children. Her parents spent decades working long, grueling shifts on the General Motors assembly line — determined to give their daughter opportunities that had never been available to them. From an early age, Roz understood the value of hard work, discipline, and rising even when the odds are stacked against you.
Years later, that foundation would help her become one of the most powerful executives in corporate America — and one of only two Black women to ever run a Fortune 500 company.
Meet Rosalind “Roz” Brewer, Former CEO of Walgreens.
From Detroit Grit to Academic Ambition
Before she led global organizations, Roz was a chemistry student at Spelman College — graduating in 1984 as the first in her family to earn a college degree. It was a milestone her parents had dreamed of, and a turning point that opened the door to corporate life.
Her first role was at Kimberly-Clark, where she spent 22 years learning the business from the inside out. She started as a chemist, but her curiosity, discipline, and leadership instincts helped her rise through the ranks year after year.
By 40, Roz made an unusual decision: she went back to school. Enrolling in advanced leadership programs at Wharton and Stanford, she chose to reinvent her skill set in mid-career — a move she later credited as a catalyst for her future success.
The Strategic Leap to Walmart
In 2006, Roz made what looked like a lateral move on paper: she joined Walmart as a regional vice president. But in reality, it was the opportunity that positioned her for the executive spotlight.
She excelled immediately.
By 2012, Roz had become President and CEO of Sam’s Club, the first Black executive to ever lead a Walmart division. She pushed bold changes — doubling organic products, investing heavily in digital innovation, and modernizing the member experience.
Her leadership style was direct, data-driven, and grounded in empathy. She quickly developed a reputation as an operator who could transform even the most complex parts of a business.
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Starbucks, Amazon, and the National Stage
In 2017, Roz was tapped as COO of Starbucks, responsible for more than 8,000 U.S. stores. She led major operational upgrades, strengthened digital ordering, and stabilized the company’s retail footprint.
She also made headlines for her courage.
In 2018, after a high-profile racial profiling incident in Philadelphia, Roz championed company-wide racial bias training — closing stores nationwide to ensure every employee received it. Her commitment to addressing inequity head-on solidified her leadership on the national stage.
By 2019, Roz joined Amazon’s board of directors, becoming the only Black member at the company and one of the most influential voices in American business.
Making History at Walgreens
Then came the milestone that cemented her place in history.
In 2021, Roz was named CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance — becoming just the second Black woman to ever run a Fortune 500 company. She stepped into the role during one of the most challenging periods in healthcare, guiding the company through the pandemic’s shifting landscape.
In 2023, she stepped down from the role, but her influence remains unmatched.
Today, she serves on the board of United Airlines, continues to advise Fortune 100 companies, and advocates for diversity and representation at the highest levels of business leadership.
Five Leadership Lessons from Roz Brewer
Reinvent boldly. Going back to school at 40 reshaped her entire future.
Lead with courage. Tackling racial bias publicly showed strength, not risk.
Move with intention. A lateral move can become the opportunity of a lifetime.
Stay grounded. Her Detroit upbringing shaped her leadership more than any title.
Break ceilings — then hold the door open. Representation changes what’s possible for everyone.
Jenny’s Takeaway
Roz Brewer’s rise is one of the most powerful examples of reinvention in modern corporate history. She didn’t inherit her success — she built it through education, courage, and relentless resilience.
From a Detroit childhood to the C-suites of Walmart, Starbucks, Amazon, and Walgreens, Roz showed what is possible when a woman decides she will not settle for limits others place on her.
Roz is proof that you’re never too late to go back to school or to reinvent your career. So, what’s holding you back?