Senior Advisor, Sycamore Partners
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At Walgreens Boots Alliance, our vision is to be the leading partner in reimagining local healthcare and well-being for all. To make this a reality, we are creating a culture where diversity, equity and inclusion are at the center of everything we do and creating an environment where everyone—patients, customers, team members, community members and suppliers—feels valued and respected.
We are proud to lead Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) across WBA. As we work to realize our company vision, putting DEI at the center of everything we do is core to delivering on our strategy.
Today, our workplace is stronger and more connected than ever before because of our DEI efforts, and we have received numerous awards and recognition for our progress and leadership.
During fiscal year 2023, our DEI strategy came to life through continued leadership accountability and transparency in building talented and diverse teams, expanded Business Resource Groups (BRGs), enhanced supplier diversity initiatives and increased organizational learning and awareness.
As we look forward, we are excited about our continued work to advance health equity, which is paramount for WBA. Our team is ready to build upon the progress made in fiscal 2023 and to continue to advance across our core pillars: Healthy Communities, Healthy and Inclusive Workplace, Healthy Planet and Sustainable Marketplace.
We are confident in the impact we will continue to have on the health of our patients, customers, team members, communities, suppliers and planet. Together, let's create more joyful lives through better health.
Senior Vice President, ESG and Chief DEI Officer, Walgreens Boots Alliance
Vice President, ESG and DEI, International, Walgreens Boots Alliance
Genesis Bencivenga Sr.
After taking her father’s pudding recipe from the family kitchen into national stores, Genesis Bencivenga Sr., CEO and co-founder of Lorenzo’s Frozen Pudding, overcame setbacks with support from the Walgreens Top Shelf program.
After graduating from the program, Bencivenga credits it with filling the gaps that limited her first two go-rounds. Top Shelf provided her with access to the capital vital for growth, ultimately giving her distribution at Walgreens with a six-store pilot that grew to more than 70 stores a year later. Bencivenga says, “What did I get out of Top Shelf? More than anything, it was relationships that are now creating my network. Everybody knows it’s all about who you know, and Top Shelf has serious advisors to help teach you what they're good at.”
Psyche Terry
Started in 2009, Urban Hydration is a trailblazer in plant-based clean beauty. The brand was created by a new mom and dad who wanted affordable, sustainable care that worked well for the entire family.
Psyche Terry, CEO and Founder of Urban Hydration, and Walgreens have worked together to introduce her products nationwide.
“Partnering with Walgreens has been really instrumental to our business," she says. "We rose to the challenge of being in a large and favored retailer and our customers are happier for it. We’ve noticed that, from our buy team to field sales to the supplier diversity team, our business is poised in great relationships with each of them. Here is one business partner I can say partners big and supports you along the way!”
Teresa Ging
Founded in 2007 by former equity research analyst Teresa Ging, Sugar Bliss is a cupcake and bakery company based in downtown Chicago. Through the Top Shelf program with the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), the relationship between Walgreens and Sugar Bliss formed.
When joining national retail, Sugar Bliss credits Walgreens for the opportunity to expand.
“We are grateful Walgreens was the first retailer to partner with Sugar Bliss, a women- and minority-owned bakery," Ging says. "Walgreens commitment to supplier diversity and sponsorship of programs such as Top Shelf with the WBDC gave Sugar Bliss the opportunity to launch four varieties of cookies in Walgreens stores. In addition, this opportunity has opened the doors for Sugar Bliss to expand into more retailers and eventually become a nationwide brand.”
In fiscal 2023, our business resource groups (BRGs) saw significant growth. More than 6,200 team members have joined at least one of our 24 BRGs. We recently introduced Belong at Boots Ireland and expanded Parent and Caregiving BRG in UK.
Our BRGs are active throughout the year, raising awareness for the causes that mean the most to them. They are active internally as well as externally, participating in their own communities outside of WBA.
We value external recognition as it tells us that we're working on the right things and going about them in the right way. Most importantly, these awards recognize and celebrate our team members' efforts and achievements.
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WBA named to Dow Jones Sustainability North American Index
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Walgreens Boots Alliance named Disability:IN’s 2023 Employer of the Year
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The first health and beauty business to receive Menopause Friendly Accreditation in the UK (Boots and No7 Beauty Company)
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A Bronze Award in the Stonewall Global Workplace Equality Index (GWEI), a benchmark for global LGBTQ+ workplace equality (WBA)
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Age Friendly Business Innovation Award (Boots Ireland)
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Finalist in Network of the Year at the British LGBT Awards (Pride Alliance UK BRG)
We cannot accomplish our goals without partners. We are proud to work alongside some of the most dedicated and talented organizations around the world.
The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) is a global nonprofit organization committed to achieving gender parity in leadership positions, providing equitable practices that enable organizations to realize the full potential of women and facilitate business connections to accelerate career advancement in their fields. Walgreens proudly partners with HBA to offer membership benefits to our team members and empower women at Walgreens.
For the sixth year in a row, Walgreens has received a 100 score on the 2022 Disability Equality Index® (DEI), a joint initiative by Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Through our partnership with Disability:IN, WBA sponsors the group's annual conference, engages in workshops, committees and other events and provides thought leadership on disability strategy and employment.
Since 2018, Boots and No7 Beauty Company have been working with Henpicked to normalize the conversation around menopause and make it easier for team members experiencing menopause to talk about it and get the support they need. With Henpicked’s support, Boots was accredited as a Menopause Friendly Employer in 2022, and in 2024, it announced a commitment to become a Menstruation Friendly Employer, also with Henpicked’s support.
Out & Equal is the premier organization working exclusively on LGBTQ+ workplace equality, helping LGBTQ+ people thrive and support organizations creating a culture of belonging for all. Walgreens partners with Out & Equal to provide LGBTQ+ executive leadership development, comprehensive DEI training and consultation and professional networking opportunities that build inclusive and welcoming work environments.
