Rosalind "Roz" Brewer
Roz Brewer is a renowned corporate executive celebrated for her visionary leadership, transformative impact, and unwavering dedication to advancing positive change in global business. As one of the few Black women to reach the C-suite in a Fortune 100 company, her groundbreaking career has cemented her status as one of today’s most influential figures. Recognized among Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women in Business” for her strategic acumen and commitment to excellence and equity, Brewer drives powerful results across corporate, educational, and cultural initiatives.
In a homecoming that bridges corporate leadership with academic stewardship, Brewer recently returned to her alma mater as Interim President of Spelman College. Drawing on her proven executive experience, she now leads this prestigious historically Black women’s college through a pivotal transition with a vision that builds on the college’s legacy of excellence to prepare students for an evolving global landscape.
Throughout her career, Brewer has driven innovation and digital transformation across healthcare, retail, and hospitality. As President and CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, she redefined the company’s strategic direction, guiding it through the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic and expanding access to essential healthcare services. During her tenure as COO of Starbucks, she led operational excellence initiatives and spearheaded technological innovations that elevated customer engagement globally. At Sam’s Club, she served as President and CEO, implementing digital solutions that transformed the customer experience and strengthened the brand’s market position. Her experience overseeing multi-site retail operations will inform and strengthen KIPP’s efforts to ensure that students across 28 regions consistently receive a joyful, academically rigorous education that prepares them for college and thriving, secure futures. In addition to her role with the KIPP Foundation, Brewer’s influence extends through board positions with United Airlines and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Her past corporate board experience includes Amazon, Starbucks, Lockheed Martin, and Molson Coors. As a limited partner in her hometown team, the Atlanta Falcons, Brewer is one of only three Black women with an ownership stake in an NFL team, reflecting her far reaching impact across corporate and community arenas.
Born in Detroit, Brewer was a first-generation college student, earning a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Spelman, where she later served on the board and earned the title of Chair Emerita before returning as Interim President. Brewer’s dedication to Spelman reflects her enduring commitment to educational advancement, equity, and leadership development. KIPP has a national partnership with Spelman and more than 75 KIPP alumni have attended the college. Spelman students have also volunteered with KIPP public schools in Atlanta and other regions around the country.