Helena Foulkes
Helena Foulkes | |
---|---|
Born |
Helena Grace Buonanno 1963/1964[1] |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Harvard University |
Occupation |
President, CVS Pharmacy Executive Vice President, CVS Health |
Helena Foulkes is the current President of CVS Pharmacy and Executive Vice President of CVS Health.
Early life and education
The daughter of a lawyer, Helena Buonanno was born the eldest of five children. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University, graduating magna cum laude; there she met her husband,[1] marrying him in 1989 in a Roman Catholic ceremony.[2] Larry Summers was her senior thesis adviser. She later earned her Master of Business Administration from the same institution.[1]
Career
After graduating from Harvard, Foulkes briefly worked at Goldman Sachs and Tiffany & Co before leaving to earn her MBA. She began working at CVS in 1992.[1] She rose up to become the company's executive vice president and chief marketing officer. She oversaw the launch of the ExtraCare card, a membership program offering savings to participants.[3] Foulkes also created the Pharmacy Advisor program, its purpose being to offer advice to customers with chronic conditions, either in stores or over the phone.[1]
In 2011, CVS made Foulkes its chief health care strategy and marketing officer, a new position created for her.[3] In July 2015, Fortune magazine reported that as part of her role, Foulkes oversees 7,800 retail stores and 18 distribution centers.[4] She helped spur the decision to stop selling cigarettes and tobacco products, citing the need for CVS to better position itself as a healthcare company.[1][5] She oversees the company's philanthropic endeavors, and helps develop digital strategies to help consumers learn how to fulfill their pharmaceutical needs.[3]
In 2015, Fortune magazine included her on its list of Most Powerful Women, citing Foulkes' role in the "$1.9 billion purchase of Target's prescription-filling business—a deal that will give CVS the most pharmacy locations in the U.S.—and launching upgraded beauty and healthy food sections in many of the stores".[6]
Personal life
Foulkes has four children, and runs marathons. In 2009 her mother died from lung cancer.[1] She is a granddaughter of Thomas J. Dodd and a niece of Chris Dodd, both former US senators from Connecticut.[1][2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Wahba, Phil (September 11, 2015). "The change agent inside CVS". Fortune. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
- 1 2 "Helena Buonanno Weds W. G. Foulkes". The New York Times. July 23, 1989. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Steinberg, Stephanie (July 16, 2013). "Around the Water Cooler With CVS Caremark's Helena Foulkes". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
- ↑ Rao, Leena (July 14, 2015). "CVS Health chief: Consumers care more about wallet than health". Fortune. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
- ↑ Kennedy, Kelly (February 5, 2014). "CVS Caremark to stop selling tobacco products". USA Today. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Helena Foulkes, 51". Fortune. 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.