Walgreens Boots Alliance Announces Kathleen Wilson-Thompson’s Retirement and Appoints Pamela Puryear as Global Chief Human Resources Officer
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) announced the retirement of Executive VP and Global Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen Wilson-Thompson, effective January. Pamela Puryear, Ph.D., will succeed her, bringing extensive experience from Zimmer Biomet and Pfizer. Wilson-Thompson is recognized for her pivotal HR leadership during the pandemic and in promoting racial equity. Puryear aims to enhance WBA's HR strategy focusing on culture and employee experience as the company pursues its digital future.
- Pamela Puryear's extensive HR experience could strengthen WBA's human resources strategy.
- Puryear's background in healthcare aligns with WBA's focus and digital transformation.
- Kathleen Wilson-Thompson's retirement may create a leadership transition challenge.
DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA) announced the retirement plans of Executive Vice President and Global Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen Wilson-Thompson and announced Pamela Puryear, Ph.D., as her successor.
“Never has Kathleen’s contribution to the company been stronger than in 2020, whether leading Human Resources actions during the pandemic or being a strong voice for all during the racial equity movement,” said WBA Co-Chief Operating Officer Ornella Barra. “Kathleen has been a trusted leader, advocate for change, driver of business transformation, and more to so many of us over the years, and she will be missed greatly at WBA. Kathleen left us stronger than where she found us.”
Wilson-Thompson will retire from the company in January, as a respected leader in the industry as well as among global chief human resources officers (CHROs). This November, The HR Digest included Wilson-Thompson on the Most Influential HR Leaders Powerlist and credited her for harnessing the power of digital transformation to empower WBA’s people, many of whom are essential workers, during COVID-19. Please see Wilson-Thompson’s biography for more information on her background.
“Pamela is a true leader of transformation, and we are delighted she is joining us. Our vision in Human Resources is that every day we inspire and support all of our colleagues across the globe, to care for our customers, patients and communities,” continued Barra. “Pamela’s experience operating as a human resources leader in the healthcare industry will help to further strengthen the core of our business as we accelerate our digital future, with a special focus in Human Resources on culture, talent and employee experience.”
A nationally recognized leader in human resources and organization development, Pamela has a strong track record of leading culture transformation, developing leaders and building teams to drive strategic business outcomes. Puryear joins WBA from Zimmer Biomet, a global leader in musculoskeletal healthcare, where she has served as senior vice president and chief human resources officer and a member of the president and CEO’s leadership team. Puryear, who will be relocating to the Chicago area, will start Jan. 18.
“I am tremendously excited to join Walgreens Boots Alliance at a time when the company’s purpose to help people across the world lead healthier and happier lives has never felt stronger or more relevant,” said Puryear. “I look forward to working with our colleagues around the globe to make a positive impact for employees as well as the customers and patients we serve.”
Prior to her role at Zimmer Biomet, Puryear spent three years with Pfizer, where she served as senior vice president and chief talent officer, and six years as vice president, organization development and chief talent officer at Hospira. Puryear has received a number of honors including being named one of the Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America and one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in
Business by Black Enterprise magazine. Please see Puryear’s biography for more information on her background.
Notes to Editors:
About Walgreens Boots Alliance
Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA) is a global leader in retail and wholesale pharmacy, touching millions of lives every day through dispensing and distributing medicines, and through its convenient retail locations, digital platforms and health and beauty products. The company has more than 100 years of trusted health care heritage and innovation in community pharmacy and pharmaceutical wholesaling.
Including equity method investments, WBA has a presence in more than 25 countries, employs more than 450,000 people and has more than 21,000 stores.
WBA’s purpose is to help people across the world lead healthier and happier lives. The company is proud of its contributions to healthy communities, a healthy planet, an inclusive workplace and a sustainable marketplace. WBA is a participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business.
WBA is included in FORTUNE’s 2020 list of the World’s Most Admired Companies*, ranked first in the food and drugstore category. This is the 27th consecutive year that WBA or its predecessor company, Walgreen Co., has been named to the list.
More company information is available at www.walgreensbootsalliance.com.
*© 2020, Fortune Media IP Limited. Used under license.
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