Legacy is more than a last name
Walgreens is a business for families, not just a family business, with stories that span generations.
As Walgreens celebrates 125 years, team members reflect on the families, relationships and careers shaped along the way.
When Charles R. Walgreen Sr. opened a single drugstore in 1901, he was laying the foundation for something far bigger than a storefront. He was building a company rooted in service, trust and longevity—values that have carried Walgreens through wars, recessions, pandemics and generations of change.
What he likely couldn’t have imagined is that, 125 years later, a member of his own family would still be part of the company that bears his name.
Carrying the name forward
Enter Drew Walgreen, the great-great-grandson of the founder and a senior manager of pharmacy and healthcare compliance on the Enterprise Pharmacy Practice team. As Walgreens marks its 125th anniversary, Drew carries forward a connection that spans five generations.
At Walgreens, family stories are anything but rare. Across the company, parents work alongside children, siblings grow their careers together and multiple generations build lasting legacies—sometimes in the same store, sometimes miles apart, always connected by shared experiences.
Today, Walgreens is home to more than 211,000 team members. Many of them don’t just share a workplace, they share a family bond.
FUN FACT
Drew’s legal name is Charles Andrew Walgreen. He goes by Drew to avoid confusion. His grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather were all named Charles. “There’s been a Charles in every generation,” he says.
When work becomes a family affair
Denise Quigley, store manager at 6739 in Lowell, MA
Carlin Quigley, senior pharmacy technician at 7333 in Willimantic, CT
“I joined Walgreens in 1989 as a part-time pharmacy technician during college, never imagining it would become my career. Nearly 37 years later, after leadership, store manager and district manager roles, I now lead a busy tier-5 store and plan to retire from this location in the next few years.
“Both of my children have also been part of Walgreens. My son, John, worked for five years as a customer service associate and photo specialist before leaving in 2022 to become a music teacher. My daughter, Carlin (Carly), joined at 16, advanced from CSA to senior pharmacy technician and now works in Connecticut while finishing her engineering degree at UConn. She’ll begin a master’s program in biomedical engineering at Tufts and credits her Walgreens pharmacy experience with shaping her career path.
“Watching my kids succeed at Walgreens has been incredibly rewarding, especially hearing other managers praise their hard work, reliability and commitment to customers and patients.”
Leah McKee and Jeslynn Hash
Leah McKee, store manager at 5092 in Dallas, TX
Jeslynn Hash, shift lead at 3941 in Arlington, TX
“I’ll mark 21 years with Walgreens this August. I started part-time as a beauty advisor in college, never realizing how much the company would shape my life. No matter where I moved or what I faced personally, Walgreens always felt like home and many team members became like family.
“As a single mom, that support meant everything. During snowstorms at my first store, my manager even let me bring my daughter when childcare wasn’t an option. By the time she officially joined Walgreens in 2021, she already knew the basics. Today, she’s focused on growing her career and hopes to move into an emerging store manager role.
“Being able to support her journey has meant more than I can say. Walgreens became the family I didn’t know I needed, and I’m grateful for it every day.”
Tiffany Causby, store manager at 16526 in Port Richey, FL
Abigal Good, pharmacy technician at 4124 in Palm Harbor, FL
Taylor Good, customer service associate at 3629 in Hudson, FL
Makiya Perkins, inventory specialist at 13980 in Frederick, MD
“My family’s connection to Walgreens spans 19 years and includes several generations. My three daughters also work for Walgreens, and I served as my husband’s training mentor when he worked for the company about 10 years ago.
“Overall, the experience has been rewarding, though not without challenges. One of the hardest parts has been helping my daughters learn and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Even so, it’s a true blessing to know they work alongside strong, supportive store managers who genuinely have their best interests at heart.”
Akhilesh (second from right) and Nishtha Brahmbhatt
Akhilesh Brahmbhatt, district manager in West Palm Beach, FL
Nishtha Brahmbhatt, customer service associate at 4174 in Palm City, FL
Hari Brahmbhatt, pharmacist at the centralized services facility in Orlando, FL
“My family’s connection to Walgreens spans 27 years and includes several of the people closest to me. My wife, Rajul; my sister, Swati; my brother, Hari; and my daughter, Nishtha; have all been part of the Walgreens journey. My sister began as a Walgreens intern while attending the University of Florida and later became a management trainee, working in Jersey City, NJ. My brother and daughter currently work here.
“Walgreens has played an important role in helping our family grow. My wife and I welcomed two children while working here, and we were able to buy both our first and second homes during our time with the company. We’re deeply grateful for the opportunities Walgreens has provided and the foundation it’s given our family over the years.”
Shared moments, unexpected gifts
Gini Griffin, IT manager at the support center in Deerfield, IL
June Griffin, merchandising assistant at the support center in Deerfield, IL
“I’ve been with Walgreens for 29 years, and my family’s connection runs deep. June has been part of the corporate office for the past two years and also worked in stores during COVID-19, but her Walgreens journey actually began much earlier—through the Walgreens daycare.
“We love seeing each other in the office and occasionally meeting up for lunch. It always makes me smile when co-workers realize we’re related. It’s just another reminder of how special it is to share this experience at Walgreens.”
June and Gini Griffin
Gabriel and Jeslyn Hall
Gabriel Hall, group supervisor at the Northlake, TX, micro-fulfillment center
Jeslyn Hall, fulfillment specialist at the Northlake, TX, micro-fulfillment center
“I celebrated 20 years with Walgreens this past October, and my daughter Jeslyn is approaching her third anniversary this June. My second daughter, Leila Hall, also worked for Walgreens briefly before leaving to attend University of Texas at San Antonio.
“Because Jeslyn is an adult, we don’t always see each other outside of work—we often have different schedules and plans. That’s what makes working together so meaningful. Even on weeks when we miss each other on our days off, I know I’ll see her when I’m back at work. Just catching a glimpse of her on the floor or seeing her pass by instantly brightens my day, and I’m always incredibly proud of how hard she works. Walgreens has given us not just jobs, but shared moments we might not otherwise have had.”
I’m always incredibly proud of how hard my daughter works. Walgreens has given us not just jobs, but shared moments we might not otherwise have had.
Gabriel Hall
Group supervisor, Northlake, Texas, micro-fulfillment center
Oscar Rios, store manager at 1616 in Elmhurst, NY
Matthew Rios, customer service associate at 7367 in College Point, NY
“About two years ago, my son Matthew began his Walgreens journey. From the start, I hoped he would make a positive impact, and I’m incredibly proud that he’s done just that. He’s been recognized as Employee of the Month and is currently his store’s credit card champion.
“It’s been especially fun competing against each other during Best Day Ever events, with both of our locations consistently achieving monthly goals. This shared experience has brought us closer and strengthened our connection. We both work hard every day to help make the company more successful, and I couldn’t be prouder of the role he’s carved out for himself.”
Oscar and Matthew Rios
Brittney and Lisa Tomic
From family business to shared future
Lisa Tomic, vice president of Pharmacy Administration at the support center in Deerfield, IL
Brittney Tomic, vice president of Design and Construction at the support center in Deerfield, IL
“My family’s Walgreens history spans generations, beginning in the 1970s. My father, Mike Tomic, immigrated to the U.S. at 16 and built his career with Walgreens, retiring in 2014 after nearly 38 years as a district manager. Inspired by his experience, my grandfather worked at a Walgreens warehouse until his retirement.
“That legacy continued with my brother, who spent 22 years with Walgreens in both field and support center roles before leaving in June 2025. He met his wife, Brittney, while working on a store remodel. She started in stores 18 years ago, and has since grown into her current role.
“I’ve been with Walgreens nearly 24 years, working as a pharmacist in both field and support center roles. Beyond my immediate family, several cousins and close family friends are also store managers across the Chicagoland area.”
Jana Gouge, pharmacy operations manager at 17817 in Wartburg, TN
Jacey Gouge, shift lead at 17817 in Wartburg, TN
Julie Brown, pharmacist at 17817 in Wartburg, TN
“My Walgreens journey began in 2020, when Walgreens acquired the independent pharmacy my sister, Julie, and I owned together. Since then, I’ve had the unexpected privilege of working alongside family.
“My daughter, Jacey, has been at the same store for more than three years. She joined as a customer service associate, progressed to designated hitter and has spent the past two years as a shift lead. Working together has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. I’ve watched her grow into a confident, capable leader, and those memories will always stay with me.
“I continue to work side by side with my sister, Julie. After owning our pharmacy together for more than 25 years, we’ve now spent over six years at Walgreens. She’s not only my sister, but my lifelong best friend.
“Walgreens has given my family the opportunity to grow together professionally, and I’m truly grateful for the experiences we’ve shared.”
Julie Brown and Jana Gouge
Rina Shah, SVP, Enterprise Specialty Pharmacy at the support center in Deerfield, IL
“My dad, sister and brother all worked for the company at one point in their professional career. My dad started as an overnight pharmacist and encouraged my siblings and I to start as pharmacy technicians while in high school. He and my mom hoped we’d all become pharmacists and build our careers at Walgreens.
“My younger sister worked as a pharmacy technician for about a year before pursuing a career in education. She earned her master’s degree, spent nearly 20 years with Chicago Public Schools and is now an assistant principal. My younger brother spent more than a decade with Walgreens, working from high school through a few years after pharmacy school. His final role was on the ERx Automation team. He now serves as a director of regulatory advertising and promotion at Astellas.
“My dad retired from Walgreens in 2016 after 27 years as a Walgreens pharmacist. He and my mom are the reason I became a pharmacist, started at Walgreens and why I’m still motivated by the importance of giving back to the patients in our communities.”
Drew Walgreen on carrying five generations forward
“Walgreens has a special place in my heart for so many reasons.
“I grew up hearing about what an incredible place this company is from my family, and as a young person, stood in awe of my grandfather Cork (Charles R. Walgreen III), a true visionary who was ahead of his time.
“He always said that the best part of the company is the people, evident by the fact that so many of us spend decades working here. Having celebrated my 20th anniversary earlier this year, I’m honored to be able to carry on a tradition of service that has spanned five generations of my family.
“And being able to combine my educational and professional background as an attorney with my many years of experience as a pharmacy technician in our stores has been the literal cherry on top of the Walgreen malted milkshake!”
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