Walgreens Names Brewer as CEO in Step for Black Women (2)

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. named Starbucks Corp. operating chief Roz Brewer to run the pharmacy chain, tapping an experienced retail leader who will become the only current Black female CEO in the S&P 500 index.

After bolstering Starbucks’ digital sales and improving operations in China and the U.S., Brewer, 58, will be charged with reinvigorating a sprawling pharmacy empire that has struggled to adapt to online competition. Walgreens shares surged 7.9% in late trading Tuesday after the company confirmed Brewer’s hiring in a statement.

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson says the company “won’t miss a beat” after the departure of Chief Operating Officer Roz Brewer.

Source: Bloomberg)

“She’s an extraordinarily well-qualified candidate,” said Lorraine Hariton, CEO of Catalyst, which advocates ...