Sarah Iselin has been named EVP of strategy and public relations at Blue Shield of California. Iselin will join the nonprofit health plan on August 9 after serving as EVP of government programs and diverse businesses at Guidewell and Florida Blue. The regions that Iselin covered have been reorganized under other executives within the company, according to Florida Blue.
- Appointment: Sarah Iselin will join Blue Shield on August 9, 2021, in a new role as executive vice president of strategy and public affairs. Hope Scott, vice president, deputy general counsel, has been promoted to senior vice president and general counsel. She is also the chair of the company’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council.
- Proven leader: “Sarah brings a proven track record of transforming health care and has significant experience working with Blue health plans and at the state level with the Governor in Massachusetts on complex public issues,” CEO Markovich said. “She is a very talented strategic thinker and leader who shares our values and vision: to create a healthcare system that is worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable for everyone.”
- Promotions: The company has also announced that Sandra Clarke, chief financial officer, was recently promoted to executive vice president from senior vice president. Mary O’Hara, chief human resources officer and senior vice president of internal communications, was also recently promoted to executive vice president of people and engagement.
- Women empowerment: Of the 19 senior leadership positions within the company, 13 are now occupied by women and people of color. Scott and Iselin join a CEO-direct report leadership team that includes Todd Walthall, chief operating officer; Clarke; O’Hara; AnaLisa Luippold, vice president of operating committee and Office of the CEO; and Debbie Chang, president, and CEO of Blue Shield of California Foundation.
- Commitment: These moves build on Blue Shield’s commitment to and recognized leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion. The tax-paying non-profit, which has more than 7,500 employees and $21 billion in annual revenues, is one of the largest companies in California to achieve gender balance on its board. Additionally, people of color make up nearly half of the board.