Walgreen Boots Alliance (WBA) CEO Rosalind Brewer has stepped down, effective immediately. The Deerfield, IL-based pharmacy chain has appointed Ginger Graham, lead independent director, as interim CEO. Reasons for Brewer’s departure remain unclear; however WBA said she and the company had “mutually agreed” on her leaving.
Brewer joined the company two-and-a-half years ago when COVID vaccines were becoming available to Americans. In October 2021 she began transitioning WBA towards a healthcare model; however Crain’s Chicago Business reported that this transition hasn’t been successful thus far with stock prices falling 28% this year.
Executive chairman Stefano Pessina released a statement thanking Roz for her contributions to WBA: “Roz navigated the company through the global pandemic overseeing vaccine rollout in Walgreens pharmacies and high risk populations across America while furthering consumer facing capabilities and supporting culture of community engagement during difficult times.”
