Lena Barkley: Workforce Initiatives Manager

Lena Barkley knows all about how wonderful it can be to work for a company that is interested in your professional growth. She started out working as a CVS/Pharmacy Store Manager, before becoming a Training Manager and finally a Workforce Initiatives Manager, the title she holds today.

In her current role, based in Detroit, MI, she works with various colleges and employment agencies to provide entry-level opportunities to job applicants interested in a career at CVS Caremark. Helping people find employment, especially in a challenging job market, is very rewarding for Barkley, who said she gets to “connect to people every day and help change their lives.”

Helping people on their path to a better career becomes especially meaningful when the personal challenges faced by many of those she helps are considered. “Some folks, for a variety of reasons, find themselves with few career options,” said Barkley. “When I see people I helped get their first job at CVS Caremark then go on to become managers and even pharmacists, I realize we didn’t just give them a chance to work, we gave them a chance to thrive.” 

“Thriving” is most likely a byproduct of Barkley’s tutelage and positive attitude. Her outgoing message on her work voice mail advises callers to simply “tie a knot and hang on” if they reach the end of their rope.  Clearly, with Barkley pulling up the slack, those she helps don’t have to hang on for long before they discover a challenging career at CVS Caremark.