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Governor · RI · Democratic candidate · 2026

Helena Foulkes

Democratic candidate for governor of Rhode Island

Helena Foulkes is a former CVS Pharmacy president and Hudson’s Bay CEO. She is running for governor with plans for health care, housing, energy and state accountability.

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Portrait of Helena Foulkes
StateRhode Island
OfficeGovernor
ElectionNov. 3, 2026

Policy priorities

Where Helena stands.

Campaign statement

Medicaid coverage and provider access

  • Proposes higher Medicaid reimbursement rates and a state navigator program to retain eligible families’ coverage and improve access to care

Campaign statement

Utility accountability and clean energy

  • Proposes auditing utility spending, accelerating renewable grid connections and funding solar and battery installations for homes and public buildings

Campaign statement

More homes through housing investment

  • Proposes a revolving construction loan fund seeded by a millionaire tax, aiming to add 20,000 homes through the Rhode Home program

Campaign statement

Career education and skilled trades

  • Proposes a $100 million bond to build or expand career and technical education facilities, with employer partnerships and adult training

Campaign statement

Transportation oversight and bridge safety

  • Proposes replacing RIDOT leadership, auditing major contracts and creating a safety and accountability office reporting directly to the RIDOT director

Campaign statement

Lobbyist gifts and public disclosure

  • Proposes lobbyist gift and donation restrictions during legislative sessions, weekly interaction disclosures and a year-round $1 reporting threshold

Record and background

Record & experience.

  1. 2002–2007

    Experience

    CVS advertising and marketing executive

    Led advertising and marketing.

  2. 2007

    Experience

    CVS marketing and operations executive

    Led marketing and operations services.

  3. 2007–2009

    Experience

    CVS health services executive

    Led pharmacy health services.

  4. 2009–2011

    Experience

    CVS chief marketing officer

    Directed company marketing.

  5. 2011–2013

    Experience

    CVS health strategy executive

    Led healthcare strategy and marketing.

  6. 2014–2018

    Experience

    CVS Pharmacy president

    Led the pharmacy retail business.

  7. 2018–2020

    Experience

    Hudson’s Bay chief executive

    Led the multinational retailer.

  8. 2018–2020

    Experience

    Hudson’s Bay board member

    Served on the company board.

  9. 2016–2022

    Experience

    Harvard Board of Overseers member

    Served on Harvard’s governing board.

  10. 2021–2022

    Experience

    Harvard Board of Overseers president

    Elected to lead the governing board.

  11. Reported 2021

    Experience

    National Bureau of Economic Research director

    Served on its board.

  12. Reported 2021

    Experience

    Home Depot board member

    Served as a corporate director.

  13. Reported 2021

    Experience

    Harry’s board member

    Served on the company board.

  14. Reported 2021

    Experience

    mPharma board member

    Served on the company board.

  15. Since 2022

    Experience

    Central Falls school partner

    Worked with the mayor on school improvement.

  • Experience

    Goldman Sachs employee

    Worked at the financial firm before joining CVS.

  • Experience

    Tiffany & Co. employee

    Worked at the retailer before joining CVS.

  • Experience

    CVS strategic planning

    Worked in strategic planning.

  • Experience

    CVS visual merchandising

    Worked in visual merchandising.

  • Experience

    CVS category management

    Worked in category management.

  • Experience

    Harvard finance committee chair

    Chaired finance, administration and management.

  • Experience

    Dodd Human Rights Impact board member

    Served on the research center’s board.

  • Experience

    Community nonprofit board member

    Served on Rhode Island nonprofit boards.

  • Experience

    Community volunteer

    Supported homelessness and domestic-violence organizations.

  • Accomplishment

    Helped end tobacco sales at CVS

    Led the retail team through ending tobacco sales.

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