Walgreens Boots Alliance adds Valerie Jarrett to board
Walgreens Boots Alliance has brought a former Obama administration official and experienced executive to its board of directors. The Deerfield, Ill.-based company has added Valerie Jarrett as an independent and its 11th director — as well as the first director to be an African-American woman.
Jarrett — whose extensive experience includes time in the private and public sectors — joins WBA’s audit committee and compensation and leadership performance committee.
“Valerie is an outstanding addition to our board. She is a deeply influential and highly admired leader,” said James Skinner, WBA executive chairman. “Our company will benefit greatly from her wide and diverse experience at a time when our essential healthcare role in the 25 countries where we operate has never been more important.”
Currently, Jarrett serves on the boards of Lyft, Ralph Lauren and 2U, as well as private companies Ariel Investments and Sweetgreen. She spent eight years as a senior advisor to in the Obama White House, chairing President Barack Obama’s transition team, overseeing the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, and chairing the White House Council on Women and Girls. She has been CEO of Habitat, deputy chief of staff for Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development and Chair of Chicago’s Transit Board.
“We are very pleased to welcome Valerie to our board, and look forward to her sharing extensive expertise on critical issues related to the many communities that we support and help around the world,” said Stefano Pessina, WBA executive vice chairman and CEO.
Jarrett’s other achievements include being a distinguished senior fellow at the University of Chicago Law School and a senior advisor to the Obama Foundation. She also has experience as chair of the University of Chicago Medical Center’s board of trustees, vice chair of the University of Chicago board of trustees, and trustee of Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. Jarrett previously has chaired the board of the Chicago Stock Exchange and been a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
“It is a true honor to join the Walgreens Boots Alliance board as the company continues to transform to meet the rapidly-evolving health and well-being needs of millions of patients and customers,” said Jarrett. “I am looking forward to working with the entire board and management team in support of the company’s iconic brands, while helping to drive growth and shareholder value.”