Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Walgreens is fond of telling its loyal clientele that it’s “at the corner of happy and healthy.” If you’re looking for someone special at that intersection, someone who’s dedicated to making the happy and healthy happen, you’re likely to find Andrea Collaro.
As senior director of brand management and product development for the Walgreens Boots Alliance, Collaro oversees more than 4,500 products under the Walgreens banner.
The Private Label Manufacturers Association recently honored Collaro for her product development vision and leadership by inducting her into the Private Label Hall of Fame. Collaro was among 16 inductees in 2023 who “represent the best of the best from across the world of private label and showcase the depth of talent the industry has to offer,” according to Greg Sleter, executive editor of the magazine Store Brands.
“I hope to make a difference in people’s lives by developing best-in-class products that are affordable to everyone,” says Collaro, who leads a team in managing one of the largest brands in the world.
A Chicago native who grew up in Bridgeport, Collaro inherited Italian ancestry from both parents; her mother’s family hails from Sicily and her father’s from Calabria. “My Italian heritage is that of a strong, hard-working people,” she says. “From a very young age, I was taught the importance of a strong work ethic. And my mother has always been my cheerleader.”
