Share
 
 
Spelman Board Chair Named Walgreens CEO

Rosalind Gates Brewer, C'84, Spelman College Board of Trustees chair, is the new CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

Starbucks announced Tuesday, Jan. 26, that Brewer was departing after a little more than three years as its chief operating officer. Walgreens later confirmed that Brewer will take over as its CEO on Monday, March 15.

Brewer’s appointment will make her the only Black woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

In a letter to the community, Spelman President Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., applauded Brewer for her achievements.

"Her path through excellence is a perfect example of how the Spelman experience lays the foundation for a lifetime," wrote Dr. Campbell. "Her steady hand, clear vision, deep appreciation for faculty and staff, and fierce love of Spelman students and alumnae are everywhere evident. She has been indefatigable in her commitment to the College’s unmatched academic outcomes…She continues a long line of undaunted Spelman women."

Brewer has served on the College’s Board of Trustees since 2006. In 2011, she was appointed board chair.

Prior to joining Starbucks, Brewer served as president and CEO of Sam's Club, the members-only warehouse channel of Walmart Inc., where her strategies grew membership and improved merchandise. Before that, Brewer was with Kimberly-Clark Corp., for 22 years, where the former chemistry major began as a chemist and rose to become president of a sector.

Trustee's Finance Firm to Support the Growth of the Spelman College Innovation Lab

Siebert Williams Shank & Co. LLC., the nation’s top-ranked minority and woman-owned investment banking firm, recently announced plans to support educational programs for the next generation of African American innovative business leaders.

In partnership with Spelman’s Innovation Lab, a campus-wide resource for creative inquiry, the fellowship will support students as they learn key elements of business strategy and entrepreneurship.

During the year-long program, students will develop their professional skills, create a sustainable business model, and have access to mentorship and internship programs.

"Even prior to my joining the board, I knew Spelman College was a strong training ground for women who lead and excel in their careers and communities," said SWS majority owner, president and CEO Suzanne Shank, who has been a member of the Spelman College Board of Trustees since 2011. "I knew this first-hand, as my mother was a Spelman graduate who gave me an appreciation for the impact of a quality education on changing the trajectory of one’s life. Supporting an educational institution that has a rich history of matriculating Black leaders in many fields, including business, is the perfect way to kick off Black History Month."
Campus Highlights
Sophomore Seeks to Empower Black Girls and Women Through Hair Care Line

When she was 12-years-old, Vanessa Van Dyke, C’2023, experienced what she calls natural hair discrimination.

Frustrated with the ongoing bullying she received for her natural hairstyle, she decided to notify the principal of her private school.

"Instead of supporting me," said Van Dyke, "she told me I would either need to cut or straighten my hair in order for the bullying to stop."

Today, she is the spokesperson for her own hair care line, Vanessa’s Essence.

"I want to encourage every young girl and woman to wear their natural hair with pride in the workforce or school," she said. "I am majoring in economics so that I can be prepared to take on becoming the president/CEO of the company when I graduate. Our mission will always be to help young girls to be confident and fearless in all aspects of life."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alumnae Highlights
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alumna Named Partner at International Law Firm

Duane Morris LLP has promoted Meagan E. Garland, C2003, to partner.

Duane Morris LLP, a law firm with more than 800 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally, provides a broad array of clients with innovative solutions to today's legal and business challenges.

A litigator and trusted advisor, Garland focuses her practice on employment law. She provides day-to-day advice and counseling to employers on employee-related issues as they arise, including leave administration and disability accommodation, wage-and-hour compliance, classification determinations, discipline and termination procedures and employee disputes.

She is a steering committee member of the Duane Morris Women’s Impact Network for Success, and chair of the Duane Morris San Diego Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Events
 
Feb. 1
First Day of Spring Semester Classes

Feb. 15
Women in STEM Speaker Series Event

Feb. 23
The Future is Intersectional: Black Women Impacting AI

Apr. 2
Good Friday -- College Closed

Apr. 8
Founders Day

Spelman Scenes
Tell Us Your Story
Spelman College is known for educating global change agents, who are leaders in the classroom, in the community and in their careers. If you have an idea for a news story about Spelman faculty, staff, students or alumnae, we would love to hear about it. Submit your story ideas to  spelmanconnection@spelman.edu. Check out the submission guidelines for the weekly e-newsletter.
Don't miss out on the Spelman Connection! Subscribe today!
Visit our archive to read past issues of the Spelman Connection.
 
 
 
 
 
 
www.spelman.edu | (404) 681-3643 | Unsubscribe
 

Email Marketing by ActiveCampaign