Resilient Leadership: Rosalind Brewer’s Retail Transformation at Walgreens
Rosalind “Roz” Brewer, one of the most influential Black female executives in corporate America, took over as CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance in March 2021 during a critical period in the company’s history. The COVID-19 pandemic had significantly impacted retail and healthcare operations, and Walgreens—once known primarily for its corner drugstores—was at a crossroads. Under Brewer’s resilient and visionary leadership, Walgreens has embarked on a bold transformation from a traditional pharmacy chain into a healthcare-first, digitally enabled enterprise.
Brewer’s Background and Leadership Style
Rosalind Brewer brought a wealth of experience to Walgreens, having previously held senior roles at Starbucks (COO), Sam’s Club (CEO), and Walmart. Her leadership style is characterized by:
- Operational discipline
- Customer-first thinking
- Data-driven decision-making
- Equity and inclusion in leadership
She is widely regarded for her ability to lead through crisis, build high-performing teams, and spearhead transformative change in legacy organizations.
Strategic Vision for Walgreens
When Brewer joined Walgreens, she clearly identified that the company could no longer rely solely on retail pharmacy margins. The evolving healthcare landscape—driven by digital innovation, an aging population, and consumer demands for convenient care—meant Walgreens needed to redefine its identity.
Brewer’s core vision centered on turning Walgreens into a community-focused healthcare destination that integrates clinical services, primary care, digital tools, and prescription fulfillment all under one roof.
Key Pillars of Walgreens’ Transformation Under Brewer
1. Expansion into Healthcare Services
One of Brewer’s boldest moves was the investment in VillageMD, a primary care company. Walgreens committed over $5 billion to accelerate the rollout of co-located primary care clinics within its stores. These clinics are designed to provide convenient, affordable care, particularly in underserved communities.
This strategy repositions Walgreens from being just a point of medication pickup to becoming a true health services provider—offering care, diagnostics, and chronic condition management all in one visit.
2. Digital Innovation and Pharmacy Automation
Brewer prioritized Walgreens’ digital transformation by expanding the company’s mobile app capabilities, enhancing online prescription services, and adopting AI and automation to streamline pharmacy operations.
By modernizing backend operations, Walgreens improved efficiency and freed up pharmacists to play a more active role in patient care—offering vaccinations, medication counseling, and preventive health services.
3. Retail Repositioning and Consumer Experience
While shifting focus toward healthcare, Brewer did not neglect the core retail side. She initiated store layout redesigns to better integrate health services and launched loyalty program improvements to keep consumers engaged.
Walgreens also invested in curated health and wellness products, reducing non-core inventory and aligning its retail strategy with the brand’s new healthcare-centric identity.
4. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
As one of only a few Black women leading Fortune 500 companies, Brewer has championed DEI efforts inside and outside Walgreens. She worked to build a more inclusive leadership pipeline and foster partnerships with minority-owned suppliers.
She also brought attention to health disparities in underserved communities, pushing Walgreens to be part of the solution through vaccine equity programs and community health initiatives.
5. COVID-19 Response and Vaccine Rollout
Brewer took over in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Walgreens played a crucial role in the vaccination effort across the United States. Under her leadership, Walgreens not only served as a key distribution point for vaccines but also developed mobile and pop-up clinics to reach vulnerable populations.
This effort not only saved lives but also reinforced Walgreens’ evolving role as a frontline healthcare provider.
Challenges Faced by Brewer
Despite her ambitious plans, Brewer’s journey was not without challenges:
- Intense competition from CVS, Amazon (via Amazon Pharmacy), and Walmart entering the healthcare delivery space.
- Internal resistance from parts of the organization still rooted in traditional pharmacy operations.
- Supply chain issues and macroeconomic headwinds impacting retail performance and drug pricing.
- Public and investor scrutiny, especially as the healthcare pivot required significant capital investment with uncertain short-term returns.
However, Brewer responded with steady leadership, strategic clarity, and a firm commitment to long-term transformation.
Progress and Impact
By 2023, Walgreens had opened hundreds of Village Medical clinics, significantly increased its telehealth capabilities, and developed partnerships with health tech firms to integrate care more effectively. Brewer’s efforts helped reposition Walgreens from a transactional brand into a healthcare partner trusted by communities.
She also laid the foundation for future growth by focusing on value-based care, where providers are rewarded for health outcomes rather than volume of services—a model seen as the future of American healthcare.
Brewer’s Legacy and Resignation
In 2023, Brewer stepped down as CEO, having completed what many saw as the most critical phase of Walgreens’ transformation. While she faced criticism from some investors for the slow pace of financial turnaround, industry observers widely credited her with giving the company a clear identity, bold direction, and renewed relevance.
Her legacy is that of a resilient, courageous, and compassionate leader who reimagined a century-old pharmacy giant into a modern, mission-driven healthcare company.
