Lester Davis Biography

Lester Davis is the Vice President, Chief of Staff of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit healthcare organizations. In this role, Lester collaborates with the CareFirst Executive Leadership Team, guiding strategic initiatives, leading special projects and serving as an extension of the Office of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Lester leads CareFirst’s Public Health and Community Health and Social Impact teams, where he oversees philanthropic giving, community engagement and initiatives that drive forward measurable improvements in community health and health equity. Lester engages with internal and external stakeholders throughout the region to grow support for and expand CareFirst's mission of advancing affordable, accessible and equitable healthcare.

Prior to his role with CareFirst, Lester served as Vice President of Public Affairs at SKDK, a national firm responsible for managing persuasive and data-centered messaging to help leaders and organizations advance their mission, vision and values. Before this role, he spent more than a decade serving within the Baltimore City government—most notably as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Mayor's office. During his time at City Hall, Lester fostered strong and constructive relationships across local, state and federal governments and the many communities in the CareFirst service area.

Lester is passionate about serving the community, a commitment CareFirst shares through its not-for-profit mission, and believes in efforts to better the health and wellness of all people, particularly marginalized communities, as it is critical to supporting the region.

In addition to his role with CareFirst, he serves as Clerk of the Board of Trustees for Friends School of Baltimore and as a board member for the Center for Urban Families, the Living Classrooms Foundation and Baltimore's Promise. Lester also serves as a Heart Challenge Executive Leadership Team member for the American Heart Association of Maryland. In 2022, Lester was named to the Transportation Committee of then Governor-Elect Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Aruna Miller's transition team. Lester was named a Commissioner of the Baltimore Regional Transit Commission in 2023, where he continues to advocate for equitable transportation. Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott appointed Lester to serve on the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task Force in 2023 to address water-related challenges in the region and further water sustainability for generations to come.

Lester earned a B.S. in Print Journalism from Norfolk State University.