Helena Foulkes
Helena Foulkes | |
|---|---|
Foulkes in 2014 | |
| Born | Helena Grace Buonanno July 18, 1964 |
| Alma mater | Harvard University (AB, MBA) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | William Foulkes (m. 1989) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Chris Dodd (uncle) Thomas J. Dodd Jr. (uncle) Thomas J. Dodd (grandfather) |
Helena Grace Foulkes (née Buonanno; born July 18, 1964) is an American businesswoman and politician. She unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of Rhode Island in the 2022 election and is the former chief executive officer of Hudson's Bay Company.
Early life and education
Buonanno was born in 1964 to Bernard and Martha Buonanno (née Dodd), the eldest of five children.[1][2] She grew up in Rhode Island and attended Lincoln School in Providence. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College, graduating magna cum laude in 1986.[3] While at Harvard, Foulkes's senior thesis was advised by Larry Summers.[4] She later earned her Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.[4]
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.[4] She rose 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.[5] 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.[4]
In 2011, CVS made Foulkes its chief health care strategy and marketing officer, a new position created for her.[5] In July 2015, Fortune magazine reported that as part of her role, Foulkes oversaw 9,600 retail stores and 18 distribution centers.[6] 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.[4][7] She oversaw the company's philanthropic endeavors, and developed digital strategies to help consumers learn how to fulfill their pharmaceutical needs.[5]
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".[8]
On February 5, 2018, Hudson's Bay Co., owner of Saks Fifth Avenue, named Foulkes its new CEO, saying it would be effective on February 19.[9][10][11] In her first six weeks as CEO, Foulkes was challenged with refashioning the company's business strategies given the industry's declining sales at the time.[12]
In March 2020, Foulkes announced that she was leaving Hudson's Bay Co. following a deal reached with shareholders to go private.[13][14]
Political career
On October 13, 2021, Foulkes announced her candidacy for Governor of Rhode Island in the 2022 election. WPRI reported that "she would seek to spur job growth, reduce regulations, deal with the effects of climate change, and improve public education."[15] She lost the Democratic primary to incumbent governor Dan McKee by just over 3,300 votes.
On September 9, 2025, Foulkes announced her candidacy for Governor of Rhode Island in the 2026 election. She will again face McKee in the Democratic primary.[16]
Personal life
Through her mother Martha, Foulkes is a member of the Dodd family. Her grandfather Thomas was a prosecutor during the Nuremberg Trials and later a senator from Connecticut, her uncle Chris was a former U.S. Senator and the partial namesake of the Dodd-Frank Act, and her uncle Thomas was a U.S. ambassador during the Clinton administration.[17]
Foulkes married William Foulkes in 1989.[17] The two met while students at Harvard, and have four children.[4]
From 2016 to 2022, Foulkes served on the Harvard Board of Overseers, the university's second-highest governing body. She was the board's president from 2021-2022.[18][19]
References
- ^ "Helena Buonanno Weds W. G. Foulkes". The New York Times. July 23, 1989. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "WEDDINGS;Ms. Buonanno And Mr. Chase". The New York Times. December 17, 1995. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "Helena Foulkes to Serve as Harvard Board of Overseers President | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f Wahba, Phil (September 11, 2015). "The change agent inside CVS". Fortune. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
- ^ a b c Steinberg, Stephanie (July 16, 2013). "Around the Water Cooler With CVS Caremark's Helena Foulkes". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
- ^ Rao, Leena (July 14, 2015). "CVS Health chief: Consumers care more about wallet than health". Fortune. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
- ^ Kennedy, Kelly (February 5, 2014). "CVS Caremark to stop selling tobacco products". USA Today. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ "Helena Foulkes, 51". Fortune. 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ "Saks Owner Hudson's Bay Appoints CVS Executive Helena Foulkes as CEO". Bloomberg.com. February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
- ^ "CVS Health exec named CEO of department store giant". Chain Store Age. Chain Store Age. February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
- ^ "Hudson's Bay Poaches Helena Foulkes From CVS". Fortune. Fortune. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- ^ Shaw, Hollie. "New Hudson's Bay CEO Helena Foulkes says 'no sacred cows' as retailer seeks elusive turnaround". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- ^ Kapner, Suzanne (March 3, 2020). "WSJ News Exclusive | CEO of Saks Parent to Step Down". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
- ^ Thomas, Lauren (March 3, 2020). "Hudson's Bay CEO Helena Foulkes on the way out as retailer prepares to go private". CNBC. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ Nesi, Ted (October 12, 2021). "Helena Foulkes kicks off run for RI governor". WPRI.
- ^ Anderson, Patrick. "Helena Foulkes launches second bid for governor. What we know". The Providence Journal. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
- ^ a b "Helena Buonanno Weds W. G. Foulkes". The New York Times. July 23, 1989. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ Goodman, Jasper G (April 27, 2021). "Helena Foulkes to Serve as Harvard Board of Overseers President". Harvard Crimson. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
Helena Buonanno Foulkes '86, a former corporate executive who has held top positions at CVS Health and served as CEO of the Hudson's Bay Company, will serve as the president of Harvard's Board of Overseers for the next year, the University announced Monday.
- ^ "Harvard Board of Overseers President Helena Foulkes '86 Announces Bid For Rhode Island Governor | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved February 8, 2026.