Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a federation of 36 separate United States health insurance organizations and companies, providing health insurance in the United States to more than 106 million people.

Insurance

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

David Merritt is senior vice president of policy and advocacy for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), a national federation of 34 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.

With nearly 20 years’ experience in high-profile health care leadership positions and a proven track record in politics, policy and press, Merritt provides the vision and direction for BCBSA’s legislative and regulatory strategy, coordinating efforts of BCBS companies and other organizations to represent the Blue System before Congress, the Administration and associations of state regulators in support of BCBSA’s legislative and regulatory agenda.

Before joining the Association, he served as executive vice president of public affairs and strategic initiatives at America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), where he led that association’s most important and impactful advocacy initiatives, from nationwide advertising and constituent mobilization campaigns to the first organizational rebrand in nearly 20 years.

Previously, he led political strategy and messaging research for Frank Luntz, one of America’s best known and most respected public opinion and communication strategists. He also served former HHS Secretary and Utah Governor Mike Leavitt, leading Leavitt Partners’ Washington, D.C., office, and worked closely with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich for seven years, including as CEO of the Center for Health Transformation. He also advised three presidential campaigns.

Merritt received his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in political science and government from Loyola University Chicago. In addition to national TV and radio appearances, he has been widely quoted in national media and his writing has been widely published, including opinion columns in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. He currently serves as president of the Partnership for America’s Health Care Future and on the board of directors for the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing.

David Merritt

Lachlan Tidmarsh is the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at [Blue Cross Blue Shield Association](/org/blue-cross-blue-shield-association). Lachlan has over fifteen years of experience in the field of information technology and has held various leadership positions during their career. 

Most recently, Lachlan served as the Chief Information Officer for OptumCare, a subsidiary of [UnitedHealth Group](/org/unitedhealth-group). In this role, they were responsible for all technology services across OptumCare's portfolio of care delivery organizations, which included medical groups, SCA's ambulatory surgical care facilities, and core corporate solutions. 

Prior to their role at [UnitedHealth Group](/org/unitedhealth-group), Lachlan served as the Chief Information Officer for [Surgical Care Affiliates](/org/surgical-care-affiliates) (SCA), the nation's premier provider of ambulatory surgical care services. During their time at SCA, they were responsible for all technology services in support of over 200 individual surgical care facilities spanning 40 states. This included all applications, infrastructure, and end user support services. 

Before joining SCA, Lachlan served as the Chief Information Officer for [Chicago Public Schools](/org/chicago-public-schools) (CPS). During their time at CPS, they led the district's information technology transformation initiative, which resulted in CPS becoming one of the first school districts in the country to provide students with access to digital learning resources. 

Lachlan began their career at Aon, where they served as the Vice President of TSS Global Initiatives and Planning. In this role, they were responsible for

Lachlan Tidmarsh has a Masters of Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Finance from the [University of Technology Sydney](/org/university-of-technology-sydney).

Their manager is Kim A. Keck, President & CEO. They work with Rebecca D’Amico - Chief of Staff and Vice President of Strategy, Melissa Rotunno - Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Brand, and Jennifer Vachon - Executive Vice President.

Lachlan Tidmarsh

Blake Wilkerson is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Development at [Blue Cross Blue Shield Association](/org/blue-cross-blue-shield-association). Prior to this role, they were an Investor and Operating Partner at [Fullscript](/org/fullscript) from January 2014 to December 2016. Blake also served as the VP Business Development at QuadMed LLC from January 2010 to December 2014. Blake began their career at Booz & Company in January 2006 and served as a Principal until December 2010. Blake then returned to [Blue Cross Blue Shield Association](/org/blue-cross-blue-shield-association) where they served as Managing Director from January 2002 to December 2006.

Blake Wilkerson has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Psychology from [Northwestern University](/org/northwestern-university) and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School.

Blake Wilkerson reports to Kim A. Keck, President & CEO. They work with Sean Robbins - Executive Vice President, External Affairs, Rich Cullen - Vice President, Inter-Plan Solutions, and Anshu Choudhri - Vice President, Policy Development and Strategy.

Blake Wilkerson

Sean Robbins is executive vice president of external affairs for the [Blue Cross Blue Shield Association](/org/blue-cross-blue-shield-association) (BCBSA), a national federation of 35 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans are covered by the Blue System.

With a track record of leading private and public sector organizations through complex, high-profile initiatives, Robbins’ experience as an operational healthcare leader combined with his public affairs background is unique within the industry. He is recognized for his ability to articulate a clear strategy, recruit strong teams, build results-oriented cultures and create strong external partnerships to accelerate results. As executive vice president, he provides leadership for BCBSA’s external affairs functions, including the Office of Policy & Representation in Washington, D.C., which shapes public policy on behalf of the BCBS System, as well as the Brand Strategy and Marketing and Strategic Communications teams, which protect and enhance the BCBS brand on a national level.

Prior to joining the Association, Robbins was president of Regence Blue Shield of Idaho, a $350 million health plan serving nearly 200,000 members as part of the [Cambia Health Solutions](/org/cambia-health-solutions-inc) family of companies in four western states. He had previously served as Cambia’s senior vice president of public affairs and policy, overseeing the company’s political, legislative and regulatory agenda and leading a modernization of the company’s approach to public and government affairs.

Earlier in his career, Robbins led two community development organizations as CEO and supported two governors in building Oregon’s statewide economic development strategy. He served Oregon Governors John Kitzhaber and Kate Brown as director of the Oregon Business Development Department and as CEO of Greater Portland Inc, a public-private economic development corporation comprised of the region’s leading elected officials and business leaders.

A Wisconsin native, Robbins earned a business degree from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin. He enjoys hiking, fly fishing, skiing and visiting our national parks with his wife and two sons. Together, they live in Boise, Idaho.

Sean Robbins

Kari Hedges is senior vice president of Market Solutions at the [Blue Cross Blue Shield Association](/org/blue-cross-blue-shield-association) (BCBSA), a national federation of 34 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.

Hedges is responsible for BCBSA’s market segment strategies, national solutions spanning commercial, government, individual and labor lines of business, and curating BCBS national data assets. BCBSA’s national solutions support the success of BCBS companies in local and national markets through leading provider network programs, seamless operations between BCBS companies and leveraging data to transform healthcare. Hedges is also focused on addressing future market demands, including product and program development.

Hedges leads numerous initiatives to provide convenient, personalized and affordable experiences for members and providers. These include BlueCard® Modernization, an initiative to transform BlueCard services, the interoperable system between BCBS Plans that enables access to healthcare for members across the nation, into an integrated, cloud-based service platform; Blue High Performance NetworkSM (BlueHPNSM), a new national network launched in 2021 in response to market demands for an alternative to PPO network solutions; and Blue Distinction, a suite of national solutions raising the quality of care being delivered across the country. She also leads several teams focused on operations, ongoing program development and coordination of care performance for Medicare Advantage.

Hedges joined the Association in 1996, concentrating primarily on national BCBS inter-Plan business. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the [University of Kentucky](/org/university-of-kentucky) and an M.B.A. from the [University of Notre Dame](/org/university-of-notre-dame). 

Kari Hedges

Lynn Merritt is senior vice president and chief human resources officer of the [Blue Cross Blue Shield Association](/org/blue-cross-blue-shield-association) (BCBSA), a national federation of 34 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.

Merritt is passionate about building high-performing teams that evolve and support an employee-centric, results-driven culture. At BCBSA she is focused on aligning workforce and human capital strategies to enable the organization’s business goals and culture. She is responsible for all facets of human resources, including compensation, benefits, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, human resources information systems, talent acquisition, talent development, organizational design, employee relations and the human resources business partner team.

Prior to joining the Association, Merritt held several executive human resources positions within both payer and provider organizations. Her most recent role was executive vice president and chief people officer for a BCBS company-owned behavioral health company, New Directions Behavioral Health. Earlier in her career, she spent more than 15 years combined at Aetna, [CIGNA](/org/cigna-cmb-life-insurance-co-ltd) and [The Hartford](/org/the-hartford) in various human resource roles, ranging from talent development, learning and analytics to business partnerships.

Merritt holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the [University of Connecticut](/org/university-of-connecticut) and a Master of Science in organizational behavior from the [University of Hartford](/org/university-of-hartford).

Lynn Merritt

Jeffrey Berta is vice president of partner technology solutions for the [Blue Cross Blue Shield Association](/org/blue-cross-blue-shield-association) (BCBSA), a national federation of 35 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.

Berta is responsible for advancing technology and data solutions in support of BCBSA, the BCBS System and the BCBS Federal Employee Program (FEP). He also oversees the key technology platforms and programs supporting the BCBS BlueCard program serving national employers with employees in multiple locations and individual travelers domestically and internationally.

Berta has over 25 years of management and technology leadership experience in the healthcare   industry, and he has served in key technology leadership positions throughout his 15 years with the Association. Prior to joining BCBSA, he held technology leadership positions with leading software vendors Avega Health Systems and Health Management Systems, Inc.

Berta earned a bachelor’s degree in computer and information science from [Illinois State University](/org/illinois-state-university).

Jeffrey Berta

Anurag Voleti is vice president and chief data officer for the [Blue Cross Blue Shield Association](/org/blue-cross-blue-shield-association) (BCBSA), a national federation of 34 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.

Voleti oversees all aspects of data vision, strategy and delivery throughout BCBSA and across the 34 Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. His team plays a pivotal role in improving customer experience through the creation and management of data assets, insights and policies for a diverse group of stakeholders across the BCBS system and industry at large. Voleti also leads BCBSA’s continued transformation to become an innovative, data-driven organization that is focused on meeting members’ health care needs nationwide.

Voleti is passionate about leveraging technology to deliver tangible business outcomes using agile and lean while building high performing teams. Prior to joining the Association, Voleti served in a variety of data leadership roles within healthcare in organizations like [GE Healthcare](/org/ge-healthcare-limited) and [Boston Scientific](/org/boston-scientific). He led impactful digital transformations in the clinical, commercial and operational areas of the business by establishing the culture of data-driven decision making through data leverage, interoperability and governed democratization in complex, regulated and global environments.

Voleti has a master's degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Osmania University. He also has specialized training in data and AI at [Northwestern University](/org/northwestern-university) and MIT. Voleti also holds two patents in the field of data and AI.

Anurag Voleti

Kim A. Keck is president and chief executive officer of the [Blue Cross Blue Shield Association](/org/blue-cross-blue-shield-association) (BCBSA), a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. The Blue System is the nation’s largest health insurer covering one-in-three Americans.

Keck, a respected leader in the healthcare industry, has built a reputation as an engaged, incisive leader. Prior to joining BCBSA in 2021, she served as president and CEO of [Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island](/org/blue-cross-blue-shield-of-rhode-island) (BCBSRI), the state’s largest health insurer. During her tenure at BCBSRI, she drove strategic initiatives around cost and value stewardship, convenience and comprehensive health, and led policy efforts fortifying elements of the Affordable Care Act to ensure all Rhode Islanders have access to quality care. She also combatted long-standing social issues influencing health outcomes, including childhood obesity, housing insecurity and racial inequities.

Keck previously spent 28 years at Aetna, where she held leadership roles spanning from head of enterprise strategy to head of investor relations, treasury, tax, actuary, controllers and planning. She served as president of Aetna’s northeast region and interim president of the southeast region and was responsible for $20 billion in revenue and approximately five million members across the commercial and Medicare segments.

Keck graduated with honors from [Boston College](/org/boston-college) with a degree in mathematics and earned a Master of Business Administration in finance from the [University of Connecticut](/org/university-of-connecticut). She is a CFA charter holder.

Keck serves on the board of directors of [Oak Street Health](/org/oak-street-health) and is a frequent speaker on topics related to healthcare policy and women’s leadership.

Kim A. Keck

Kelly Williams is vice president of workplace experience for the [Blue Cross Blue Shield Association](/org/blue-cross-blue-shield-association) (BCBSA), a national federation of 34 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.

Since joining the Association in 2017, Williams has had leadership accountability for the organization’s talent and culture strategy. In her current role, she oversees the vision and execution of BCBSA’s workplace strategy and design, focusing on building and implementing a post-pandemic workplace experience for a hybrid workforce, including a multi-year strategy to transform BCBSA offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C. She leads a team dedicated to holistic, human-centered design in support of the organization’s mission, vision and values and overall business objectives.

Prior to joining BCBSA, Williams held several HR executive positions, including chief talent officer with Talent Partners and vice president of organizational development with international travel company [Abercrombie & Kent](/org/abercrombie-kent). Earlier in her career, she served as a clinical social worker before transitioning into corporate HR and organizational development roles.

Williams holds a Bachelor of Science degree in human resources development from [Oakland University](/org/oakland-university) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.



Kelly Williams

John Banta is vice president, National Employee Benefits Administration (NEBA) and Blue Venture Fund for the BlueCross and BlueShield Association (BCBSA), a national federation of 34 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.



John Banta

Mark Talluto serves as vice president of market segment performance and intelligence at the [Blue Cross Blue Shield Association](/org/blue-cross-blue-shield-association) (BCBSA), a national federation of 34 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.

Talluto is responsible for BCBSA’s competitive positioning, performance and programmatic needs in key market segments such as government markets, national accounts, individual & small group markets, and labor. Additionally, he directs the implementation and ongoing operations of national programs that have direct impact on BCBS companies’ market strategies and success.

Talluto started his career in healthcare more than 20 years ago in strategic consulting services within the BCBS System. He spent nearly a decade working first in strategy, marketing and product development at Horizon BCBS of New Jersey and then as chief marketing and sales executive at Anthem BCBS of Maine. Before joining BCBS, he also served as senior vice president of Matria Healthcare, a population health and disease management company, where he was responsible for sales and account management in health plan and employer markets.

Talluto earned a master’s degree in health services administration from [Cornell University](/org/cornell-university) and a bachelor’s degree in economics from St. Lawrence University.

Mark Talluto

Erin Barney is vice president of network solutions at the [Blue Cross Blue Shield Association](/org/blue-cross-blue-shield-association) (BCBSA), a national federation of 34 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.

Barney leads collaboration across the 34 Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to develop, deliver and maintain creative and innovative network programs that fit members’ health care needs nationwide. Key focus areas include BCBS initiatives that deliver high-value products and solutions, measure the quality and cost of programs and promote value-based care.

Prior to joining the Association, Barney served in a variety of leadership roles at Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC). Most recently, she served as vice president, market and network delivery, where she was accountable for the network operations and solutions delivery function across all [HCSC](/org/health-care-service-corporation) plans. Her previous roles included responsibility for performance at BCBS of Texas, as well as leadership in sales and marketing, strategic planning, payment integrity, network strategy development, human resources, and other critical projects such as claims system modernization and health information technology.

Barney has a master’s degree in management from Saint Mary’s University in Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from [Augsburg College](/org/augsburg-college). She has served as an executive board member for the Illinois and Austin Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund and on the Board of Directors for TMA PracticeEdge. She currently is a board member for the Caring for Children Foundation of Texas.

Erin Barney

Chris Lugo is vice president and chief information security officer (CISO) for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), a national federation of 35 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.

Lugo is responsible for information security and privacy, business continuity, risk and compliance activities at the Association. He also collaborates with the 35 independent BCBS companies to coordinate information security policies, procedures and compliance activities across the Blue System nationally, in order to protect the privacy of BCBS members and the operational integrity of the Blues.

Prior to joining the Association, Lugo was vice president and Global CISO of Danaher Corporation, a Fortune 150 science and technology innovation company, where he oversaw the global information security, cyber, risk and compliance program across a diverse portfolio of over 20 wholly owned operating companies. During his tenure, he transformed Danaher’s cybersecurity strategy and organization with an approach focused on moving toward proactive security practices which enable and support key business outcomes. Earlier in his career, Lugo was vice president and CISO at Hilton Worldwide, Inc., where he was responsible for the , development, transformation, oversight and day-to-day operations of the global information security and compliance organization.

Lugo was recently included in the Business of Infosec’s 2021 Global Top 100 Leaders in Information Security report. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems and a master’s degree in information technology from Northwestern University.

Chris Lugo

Brad Lubrant

Rebecca D’Amico serves as chief of staff to the CEO and vice president of strategy for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), a national federation of 35 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.

D’Amico helps drive the CEO’s priorities for the Association, including aligning organizational efforts to achieve corporate goals that support the BCBS companies and those they serve. She also helps advance the Blues' Systemwide strategy to shape a high-quality, affordable and equitable healthcare system across the country.

Previously, D’Amico led several areas across BCBSA including research, intelligence, strategy and B2B marketing, allowing her to draw connections across business goals and market dynamics for BCBSA and local BCBS companies.

Prior to joining BCBSA in 2013, D’Amico worked as a management consultant in the healthcare industry, with a focus on regional health plan business strategies.

She received a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management and policy (cum laude) from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago Harris School.  

Rebecca D’Amico

Christina Fisher is executive vice president and chief financial officer for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), a national federation of 35 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.

Fisher oversees the Association's finance, enterprise information technology, information security, enterprise program management and group purchasing organizations. She is also responsible for the National Employee Benefits Administration, which manages over $15 billion in retirement plan assets for 34 participating BCBS entities nationwide, and four venture investment funds totaling $900 million in committed capital from 38 BCBS entities. These funds invest in promising emerging companies of strategic relevance to the Blues.

Prior to joining the Association, Fisher was senior vice president and chief financial officer of the American Hospital Association, where she led strategic alignment and operational transformation of finance, information technology, meeting and travel services and facilities management. Previously, she served as vice president of finance for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, overseeing the financial planning and analysis functions for the Chicago Fed and collaborating on projects with leaders across the Federal Reserve System. Earlier in her career, she worked as a management consultant with Deloitte & Touché and Accenture. Her consulting experience included audit and risk advisory services, project management, business process improvement and information technology, primarily serving financial institutions.

Fisher holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Washington University in Saint Louis and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. She is active in her church and community activities, and she serves on the Board of Directors for Girls in the Game, a non-profit that empowers girls through sports, health and leadership programs. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Public Service Sorority, Inc.

Christina Y. Fisher

Katie Mcbreen

Keysha Brooks-Coley

Adam Myers

Anshu Choudhri is vice president of policy development and strategy for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), a national federation of 35 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies. Today, one in three Americans is covered by the Blue System.

Choudhri has been with BCBSA since 2005, serving in multiple capacities on both the clinical and policy teams. In his current role, Choudhri oversees the development of BCBSA's public policy positions and strategy for use with the administration, Congress, government agencies, state regulators and third parties. He guides staff in the formation of BCBSA’s positions on current legislation, regulation and opportunities to improve the healthcare system across commercial markets and government programs. Choudhri has led legislative and regulatory policy position development on a wide variety of topics including delivery system reform, COVID-19, prescription drugs, surprise billing, transparency, affordability, opioid and substance use disorder, health equity, public health, mental health parity, healthcare quality, health IT and interoperability.

Previously, Choudhri initiated BCBSA’s commitment to value-based care in collaboration with BCBS companies supporting the launch of patient-centered medical home (PCMH) pilots that aimed to transform the way primary care is delivered and financed. He led cross-divisional teams and provided strategic guidance to senior leadership toward national implementation of PCMH and Accountable Care Organization programs across the BCBS System.

Prior to joining BCBSA, Choudhri’s experience included performance measurement and program development with the National Committee for Quality Assurance and the State of Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, developing HEDIS measures and working extensively with state leaders to expand employment support programs for the Medicaid population in Maryland.

Choudhri received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from George Washington University and earned a Master of Health Science in health finance and management from The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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