Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota announces two executive leadership appointments

EAGAN, Minn., June 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) today announced two additions to the company's leadership team. Kirstie Foster has joined Blue Cross in the newly created position of vice president, public relations and Jason Newman will assume the role of vice president, chief information security officer.

About Kirstie Foster
As vice president of public relations, Foster is responsible for the positioning of the organization and increasing Blue Cross' external leadership voice. Additionally, Foster will lead external communications to include company reputation, external industry news and brand public relations.

Foster comes to Blue Cross with 15 years of public relations experience at General Mills, where she most recently served as the director of corporate and brand communications. Foster's tenure at General Mills included leadership of their corporate public relations, where she was responsible for global media relations, social media, issues management, brand public relations and executive communications.

Prior to joining General Mills, Foster spent five years at the public relations agency Weber Shandwick where she managed strategic communications campaigns for financial and consumer product organizations. 

"Kirstie brings strong corporate leadership and strategic communications experience to Blue Cross," said Paula Phillippe, senior vice president of human resources and external relations. "Her wealth of experience in crafting and telling innovative brand stories will help guide our communication strategy and support our vision of becoming Minnesota's health care leader."

Foster holds bachelor's degrees in journalism and speech communications with honors from the University of St. Thomas.

About Jason Newman
In his new role as vice president, Newman is responsible for establishing and maintaining Blue Cross' information risk management program while ensuring the organization meets compliance and regulatory requirements. Newman will continue his duties as chief information security officer to advise leadership on business and technology initiatives while effectively managing cyber security risks.

"Jason's strategic leadership will help us achieve our ongoing commitment to meet and exceed member expectations in a rapidly changing health care environment," said Scott Lynch, senior vice president, chief legal officer. "He has played a valuable role in managing multiple technology and security issues that are critical to our business needs. I have full confidence in his continued leadership over this important work."

Newman joined Blue Cross in 2013 as chief information security officer. Prior to this role, Newman spent 16 years at Deloitte leading large information security transformation engagements for Fortune 500 clients across multiple industries including health care, financial services and retail. He graduated magna cum laude from Michigan Technological University with a bachelor's degree in accounting and management information systems.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A nonprofit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.9 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago. Go to bluecrossmn.com to learn more about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151020/278636LOGO

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota