Helena Foulkes

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, marrying him in 1989 in a Roman Catholic ceremony. Larry Summers was her senior thesis adviser. She later earned her Master of Business Administration from the same institution.

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. 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. 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.

In 2011, CVS made Foulkes its chief health care strategy and marketing officer, a new position created for her. In July 2015, Fortune magazine reported that as part of her role, Foulkes oversees 9,600 retail stores and 18 distribution centers. 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. She oversees the company's philanthropic endeavors, and helps develop digital strategies to help consumers learn how to fulfill their pharmaceutical needs.

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".

Personal life

Foulkes has four children, and runs marathons. In 2009 her mother died from lung cancer. She is a granddaughter of Thomas J. Dodd and a niece of Chris Dodd, both former US senators from Connecticut.