Most of the nation's largest health payers have a single CEO at the helm and operate under one name across many states. In contrast, Blue Cross and Blue Shield payers function as smaller, independent companies, though they are often the largest insurer within their respective state.
Meet the individuals leading the BCBS affiliates in the *Northeast:
Anthem BCBS Connecticut
Lou Gianquinto has been president of the company since 2020. Previously, he was president of Anthem's Medicaid program in Missouri and has also held roles at UnitedHealthcare.
Anthem BCBS Maine
Denise McDonough has been president of Anthem's Maine business since 2019. She first joined the company in 2010 as director of sales in New Hampshire. Before that, she was at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care for 13 years.
BCBS of Massachusetts
Sarah Iselin will become the company's president and CEO Dec. 5 after leaving Blue Shield of California as COO and executive vice president. She replaces Andrew Dreyfus, who has led the payer for 12 years.
Anthem BCBS New Hampshire
Maria Proulx has been president of the company since March 2022 after being promoted from regional vice president of sales. Prior to joining Anthem, she was a practicing attorney.
Horizon BCBS of New Jersey
Gary St. Hilaire has been president and CEO of the company since 2020 after serving in the same position at Capital Blue Cross in Pennsylvania starting in 2012. He was also CFO at Capital and held leadership roles at BCBS Massachusetts.
Empire BCBS (New York)
Alan Murray has been president of the company since 2018. Prior to BCBS he was president and CEO at Northwell Health's insurance division, CareConnect. Mr. Murray also held leadership positions at UnitedHealthcare and Anthem.
Highmark BCBS of Western and Northeastern New York
Michael Edbauer, DO, has been president of the organization since 2021, when it was rebranded from HealthNow New York. He had been HealthNow's executive vice president and chief strategy and growth officer.
Excellus BCBS (New York)
James Reed has been president and CEO of the company since 2021 after first joining the company in 1996. Most recently, he served as executive vice president of marketing and sales and as regional president for the Central New York market.
Capital Blue Cross (Pennsylvania)
Todd Shamash has been president and CEO of the company since 2020 after previously serving as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. He held leadership positions in the Pennsylvania Governor's Office, state insurance department and Jefferson Health System in Philadelphia.
Highmark BCBS/Blue Shield (Pennsylvania)
Joseph Haddock has been market president for Eastern Pennsylvania since June 2022, which includes Highmark BCBS in the Northeast of the state and Highmark Blue Shield in Central Pennsylvania. He previously held senior positions at Homestead Smart Health Plans and Geisinger Health Plan.
Independence Blue Cross (Pennsylvania)
Gregory Deavens has been president and CEO of the company since 2021 after being promoted from executive vice president, CFO and treasurer. Prior to that he was corporate controller and CFO at MassMutual.
BCBS of Rhode Island
Martha Wofford has been president and CEO of the nonprofit payer since 2021 after leaving kidney care provider DaVita as group vice president. Ms. Wofford also held several top roles at Aetna and served in the Clinton administration.
BCBS Vermont
Don George has been president and CEO of the company since 2009, after first starting in 1993. Previously, he was senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Vermont Health Plan, the company's HMO subsidiary.
View the BCBS CEOs in the South here.
View the BCBS CEOs in the Midwest here.
*Northeast is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.