Helena Foulkes

Foulkes received a bachelor's degree in economics and an M.B.A. from Harvard University in 1986 and 1992, respectively. Foulkes worked for CVS Pharmacy for 25 years, serving as president from 2014 to 2018. She also served as CEO of Hudson’s Bay Company from 2018 to 2020 and as executive chair of Follett Higher Education as of 2023. As of 2026, Foulkes was the executive chair of Follett Higher Education.[1]

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Campaign websiteFoulkes' campaign website stated the following:Why HelenaCourage, Competence, and CaringRhode Island has so much potential, but right now we are facing pressure from all sides. We have a state government that is not fixing our biggest challenges, like affordable housing and the Washington Bridge. We spend more per person than surrounding states, and get worse results. Neighboring states are eyeing our companies and our talent and we are failing to position Rhode Island for future success. On top of it all, we have a hostile President in the White House intent on attacking blue states like Rhode Island and slashing funding that our families rely on. Helena is a successful leader with a demonstrated ability to take decisive action and get results. She will be a governor for everyone, who cares about you and your family and will always do the right thing—regardless of the politics. As governor, Helena will fight back against Donald Trump’s attacks on our state, create more good-paying jobs and make living in Rhode Island more affordable for every single Rhode Islander.— Helena Foulkes' campaign website (July 5, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in Providence, the oldest of 5 kids in a big family. And after college and business school, my husband Bill and I chose to raise our children here. I started mid-level at CVS, and worked my way up, rising through the ranks, holding nearly every leadership position, and I learned how to get big things done. I had four kids in 4 ½ years, and when our youngest was one, I got thyroid cancer. The nurses, doctors, and my boss at work helped so much – and after a few months, I got back on my feet. We need leadership who understands how to get our state back on its feet. I've got a plan to: transform public education, create a clean green economy, build affordable housing, protect a woman’s right to choose, and a tax cut for the middle class.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

So many have suffered so much from COVID, especially our kids. In Rhode Island, only ⅓ of our students are reading at grade level, and it’s even worse for math. If you elect me Governor, I'll make sure every child can access before and after-school, and summer programs to make up for Covid Learning Loss. If our kids aren’t back on track by the end of my term, I won’t seek re-election. Politicians make promises, leaders deliver on them. It's time to get big things done in Rhode Island.From the gas pump to the supermarket to your home energy bill, people are getting squeezed. If you elect me Governor, I'll fight for a middle-class tax cut, so working families can keep more of the money they earn. I’ve got a plan to build 20,000 affordable housing units for renters and homeowners in Rhode Island. People work hard to earn their pay and the government should work just as hard to get big things done and make life more affordable for all Rhode Islanders.Working my way up over 25 years at CVS in Woonsocket taught me a lot. One lesson was our economy is changing so fast, and we need to change with it. As Governor, I’ll make job training available to everyone free of charge, so people can get the skills they need to work in the jobs they want. We’ll ensure workers can get training on the job, not at an unemployment office. We need a governor who understands the new economy, so our kids don't have to leave home to find work.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I feel so strongly about getting our kids back on track from COVID learning loss, that I promise not to run again if test scores aren’t above what they were before COVID.