CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Named Not-For-Profit Winner of 2023 NACD DEI Awards
2023 awards recognize exemplary diversity, equity and inclusion board practices
Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. – Today, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), the largest not-for-profit health plan in the mid-Atlantic region, announced it has been recognized as a winner of the 2023 NACD Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards by the National Association for Corporate Directors (NACD) in the not-for-profit category. The annual awards recognize boards that have improved their governance and created long-term value for stakeholders by implementing forward-thinking diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices.
“DEI is at the heart of CareFirst’s mission, goals and business decisions as a not-for-profit healthcare company. We believe, to best serve a diverse population, we must represent them in our workforce and in our leadership,” Brian D. Pieninck, CareFirst President and CEO, said. “Our board sets the example for the rest of the organization. Their leadership allows us to execute on recruiting and retaining an inclusive workforce, maximizing opportunities to work with diverse suppliers, collaborating with external community partners to find unique opportunities to further equity in the community and much more.”
“I want to extend my congratulations to CareFirst and their exceptional board for winning this year’s not-for-profit DEI award,” said Peter Gleason, NACD President and CEO. “By recognizing the inherent value of diverse perspectives and experiences, they have created an environment where voices are heard, and viewpoints are respected. Their leadership serves as an inspiration to boards around the nation.”
CareFirst’s board oversees DEI across the company in accordance with the organizational mission of advancing affordable, accessible and equitable healthcare for people across the mid-Atlantic region. To best guide and integrate DEI, CareFirst’s board represents diverse populations. Through the creation of a DEI workgroup, the board elevates DEI visibility in the boardroom and promotes inclusive governance practices across all board committees and procedures. DEI values and expectations are articulated in every committee charter and are reviewed annually to ensure consistency and alignment in the mission.
The CareFirst board also leads nearly ten committees, including the Finance Committee which oversees progress on the organization’s supplier diversity program, and the Mission Oversight Committee, which focuses on CareFirst’s philanthropic work to create equity in investments and health in the communities it serves.
“We are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished through our board DEI work, but we recognize there is still much to do,” said Charlene Dukes, Chair for the CareFirst, Inc. board at CareFirst. “The board embodies ‘One Company, One Team,’ a CareFirst value that celebrates our diverse backgrounds and experiences to collaborate and deliver on our mission. The success of our work in this space is due to the commitment of our board, leadership and employees, and has so far exceeded our expectations. We look forward to its ongoing evolution as we work to further affordable, accessible and equitable healthcare across the mid-Atlantic region.”
The winners were announced and honored at the NACD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awards Gala, held during the 2023 NACD Summit. For more information on NACD, please visit the NACD Center for Inclusive Governance™.
About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
In its 86th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.5 million individuals and employers in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2022, CareFirst invested $24.1 million to improve overall health, and increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of healthcare throughout its market areas. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our website at www.carefirst.com and our transforming healthcare page at www.carefirst.com/transformation, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.
About NACD
The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) is the premier membership organization for board directors who want to expand their knowledge, grow their network, and maximize their potential.
As the unmatched authority in corporate governance, NACD sets the standards of excellence through its research and community-driven director education, programming, and publications. Directors trust NACD to arm them with the relevant insights to make high-quality decisions on the most pressing and strategic issues facing their businesses today.
NACD also prepares leaders to meet tomorrow’s biggest challenges. The NACD Directorship Certification® is the leading director credential in the United States. It sets a new standard for director education, positions directors to meet boardroom challenges, and includes an ongoing education requirement that prepares directors for what is next.
With an ever-expanding community of more than 23,000 members and a nationwide chapter network, our impact is both local and global. NACD members are driven by a common purpose: to be trusted catalysts of economic opportunity and positive change—in business and in the communities we serve. To learn more about NACD, visit www.nacdonline.org.