Spelman grad named new Starbucks president and COO

Starbucks Corporation has a new group president and chief operating officer, and she's a Spelman College grad.

Rosalind Brewer, who graduated from the Atlanta HBCU in 1984, was appointed this week, according to a press released from coffee company. She will begin her role in Seattle on Oct. 2.

This isn’t the first time she’s worked with the business. Brewer, who also chairs the board of trustees at Spelman, has developed a relationship with the chain as a Starbucks board member.

“Roz is a world class operator and executive who embodies the values of Starbucks. She has been a trusted strategic counselor to me ever since she joined our board of directors, and I deeply value her insight, business acumen, and leadership expertise,” Kevin Johnson, Starbucks president and CEO, said in the statement. “Roz is the right leader to help us realize our greatest of ambitions in this next chapter of our journey.”

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In her new position, Brewer will be responsible for leading the company’s operating businesses across the U.S., Canada and Latin America. She will also head up the global function, product innovations and store development organizations of the business.

Brewer isn't new to leadership. She has held several executive positions throughout her career. She was the CEO of Sam's Club, serving as the first African-American chief executive for the company, and the vice president of Kimberly-Clark Corp. She also made Fortune's most powerful women list in 2015 and 2016.

Now she is excited to continue her journey at the coffeehouse chain.

“I have a deep love and admiration for the Starbucks brand and its people,” Brewer said in the statement. “I am so honored to have the pleasure of working with the Starbucks leadership team to realize our highest of aspirations for the company and I look forward to working closely with the astute and talented leaders across the enterprise.”

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