I believe truly fulfilling work involves serving others, and I’m grateful my career – encompassing my roles both at Blue Cross NC and with the Blue Cross NC Foundation – gave me the opportunity to do that each and every day. I have cherished the chance to work at a place with a commitment to make North Carolina a better place to live for all of us, and that allowed me to work with a team that shared that vision. Working together, we were able to impact the lives of so many people and communities across the state.
Reflecting on the past three decades, there are so many things I would point to with pride – helping lead the establishment of the company’s community relations department and the creation of the Foundation; being part of the teams that created Be Active North Carolina, Be Active Kids, and the Healthy Community Institute; acquiring the Breast Cancer Button Chair and then watching with amazement what became of that program; representing our Foundation’s work with the Clinton Global Initiative; traversing 650 miles across the state by foot to promote good health; and – most significantly – helping lead the investment of more than $130 million in Foundation grants into North Carolina communities, improving access to health care, supporting healthy living, promoting community-centered health, and enhancing nonprofit organizational capacity and leadership.
I’m honored and humbled to have had a small part in the larger impact we have made and I look forward to cheering on the company, our Foundation, and employees of both as they continue to make our state a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
As I embark on this next phase, I plan to take a little extra time with family and doing some long anticipated travel. I am also eager to continue my efforts impacting community health issues across the state and country. And while I officially won’t close the book on this chapter of my life until December 31, I will begin my transition in September at which point Foundation Vice President Danielle Breslin will provide interim leadership until a new President and CEO has been identified.
Finally, to all the colleagues, partners, allies, and friends I have had the pleasure of working alongside all these years, thank you. You have enriched my life in a manner I will never be able to repay.
Most sincerely,
