Portland Business Alliance recognizes company for having 'No Glass Ceiling'

PORTLAND, Ore. – When employees at Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon look around the office, they see diversity in their leaders. Specifically, they find dynamic women in key positions making decisions that guide the company. This is no accident, but rather a commitment. As a result, Regence has been honored for its contributions to supporting and promoting women leaders in the company, and shattering the glass ceiling, so women can rise through the ranks to the highest of levels.

 
We are proud to accept the 2012 Corporate Glass Ceiling Breaker award from the Portland Business Alliance (PBA) for activities that foster women in leadership. Angela Dowling, vice president of sales for Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, joined Regence in May and accepted the PBA’s honor on the company’s behalf.
 
“For decades, women have made cracks in the glass ceiling but it’s time we shatter it altogether,” said Dowling. “We’re certainly doing our part at Regence to make this happen, and we hope this award motivates other companies to do the same.”
 
Regence was honored, not only for advancing women to the executive ranks, but also for its role as a strong local and regional partner, identifying and developing female leaders throughout the community.

“Womens’ voices are crucial to strengthening individual businesses, but their contributions to our collective success are also vital,” Peggy Maguire, senior vice president for corporate accountability and chief of staff. “We must ensure that female leaders continue to have seats at the table to provide the diverse perspective that makes us all stronger.

Maguire, who began with Regence in 1997 as an associate general counsel, launched a women's leadership networking group in the company last year, connecting women executives with the company’s women board members. She also set up an event to link women executives with their counterparts in other companies. Maguire is now the executive sponsor for a women's leadership affinity group launching this year by the company’s human resources department.

Externally, Regence supported the 2011 NEW Leadership Oregon class at Portland State University’s Center for Women, Politics and Policy. Regence is also a sponsor of Vision 2020’s 3rd Annual Congress in Portland Nov. 14-16, which seeks to promote women in business. Maguire serves on Vision 2020’s Portland Advisory Council.
 
About Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon is a leading health plan in Oregon, with nearly 750,000 members, offering health, life and dental insurance. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and is affiliated with Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (selected counties in Washington). Together, the companies serve more than two million members in the Northwest/Intermountain Region. The Regence affiliated companies are committed to improving the health of its members and communities, and to transforming the health care system. For more information, please visit 

www.regence.com or www.twitter.com/regenceoregon.