ROSALIND BREWER

COO & GROUP PRESIDENT, STARBUCKS

Brewer made her mark at the pinnacle of corporate America. She would eventually rise at Kimberly-Clark Corp. to become president of its Global Nonwoven Sector, driving efficiency and innovation at global manufacturing operations. By 2006, she was tapped by Walmart as president of its Eastern business unit. She was quickly promoted to CEO of Sam’s Club, the first African American women to run a Walmart division—one representing 12% of the company’s business. Her prowess eventually led to her current position: chief operating officer and group president for Starbucks, managing the company’s operating businesses across the Americas as well as the global functions of marketing, technology, and product innovation.

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