Former CVS executive brings health care experience

ISSAQUAH, Wash. – Costco Wholesale Corp. announced the election of Helena Foulkes to its board of directors.

Foulkes is a former CVS Pharmacy president with more than 25 years of experience at the pharmacy retailer. After leaving CVS in early 2018, she joined Canada’s oldest retailer, Hudson’s Bay Co., as its first female chief executive officer. HBC’s chains include its namesake in Canada, Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States and Galeria Kaufhof in Germany. Foulkes left the company in 2020.

In announcing her election on August 16, Costco cited Foulkes’ high-level executive credentials and years of experience as a retail leader.

“We are very pleased to welcome Helena as a member of our board,” chairman Hamilton (Tony) James said in a statement. “She is widely recognized as a leading retail executive and advocate for education. She also brings substantial experience in health care and as a board member of prominent companies. We look forward to her contributions.”

While at CVS, Foulkes oversaw strategy and operations for the company’s retail business, leading teams developing CVS’ loyalty program and driving digital innovation. Foulkes also played a role in the company’s transformation into a provider of health care services.

Foulkes entered the Democratic primary for Rhode Island’s 2022 gubernatorial election. It was her first run for elective office, though politics runs in Foulkes’ family: she is the granddaughter of the late U.S. Sen. Thomas Dodd of Connecticut and the niece of former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd.