Rosalind Brewer

Rosalind Brewer was born in 1962 in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest of five children; they were the first generation in her family to attend college. Due to her inclination for math and science, Brewer was interested in pursuing a career as a physician.

In 1980, upon graduating from Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Brewer enrolled at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia where she completed her bachelor's degree in chemistry. She decided not to pursue a career in medicine, and began working at Kimberly-Clark as a research technician.

Brewer completed the director's college (executive education) program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Stanford Law School, as well as the advanced management program at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Brewer has held executive positions at Kimberly-Clark, Walmart, Sam's Club, Starbucks, and Walgreens Boots Alliance. Additionally, in 2019 Brewer was elected and became the only black member of the board of directors at Amazon. She has been a non-executive director at Lockheed Martin and Molson Coors Brewing Company. Brewer continues to serve as a member on the board of trustees for Westminster School, the board of councilors for the Carter Presidential Center, and board of trustees chair at Spelman College. in 2024 she became a limited partner in the Atlanta Falcons ownership group.

Kimberly-Clark (1984-2006)

In 1984, after graduating from Spelman College, Brewer began her career as a research technician at Kimberly-Clark, a global paper-based product company, till 1988. From 1988 to 1998, she held numerous leadership roles including market manager, and director for Skincare. Between 1998 and 2006, Brewer served as the vice president of Kimberly-Clark's Nonwovens division. Brewer had a 22-year career at Kimberly-Clark Corporation.

Walmart and Sam's Club (2006-2017)

Brewer's career with Walmart began in 2006. Brewer served as the vice president, senior vice president, executive vice president for southeastern operations, and executive vice president for the eastern business unit at Walmart stores. Brewer started her position as regional vice president of operations in Georgia. Following her work as the regional vice president of Operations in Georgia, she became the division president of Walmart's southeast market, and finally the president of Walmart East.

In 2012, Brewer left Walmart and became the president and CEO of Sam's Club, the membership-only retail warehouse clubs owned and operated by Walmart. She focused on health and wellness by doubling the number of organic products offered at Sam's Clubs. As CEO of Sam's Club, Brewer became the first black person to lead a Walmart division. She retired from her role at Sam's Club in 2017.

Brewer is married to John Brewer, and they have two children.