Connecting one another through the Power of We

At BlueCross, we believe when we understand our colleagues and neighbors better, we're better positioned to do our jobs well. That's why diversity and inclusion are foundational to how we operate. They are values that allow us to create a workforce that's reflective of the communities and members we serve.

Our commitment to fostering inclusion goes beyond race, ethnicity and gender to include veterans, people with disabilities, generational differences and more. This has given us a unique perspective on how to create a culture where all voices and perspectives are welcomed and valued.

In 2018, we developed the BlueCross Power of We Conference in response to requests from customers who were looking to strengthen the employee culture within their own organizations. The goal of the event was simple - to bring leaders together to exchange perspectives, engage in conversations and reflect on how diversity and inclusion help us work better together.

We also realized an event like this would allow us to share how diversity and inclusion can drive better business results through increased employee engagement. We've proven this assertion within our own walls. Our 2024 engagement survey results revealed that:

• 97% of employees understand how their jobs contribute to our mission

• 94% of employees believe people of all backgrounds can succeed at BlueCross

These results beat even the benchmarks for high-performing companies, and they translate into better service to our members.

Heading into its seventh year, the event continues to provide a valuable platform for sharing ideas and celebrating how differences can make us stronger, now and in the future. Topics discussed have included hiring and retaining veterans and military spouses, generational diversity, artificial intelligence and its impact on human resources, and health equity. Programming evolves each year to address issues shaping the ways in which we work with one another.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to keeping diversity and inclusion at the heart of what we do at BlueCross, and we will put this into action by focusing on three key points:

• Prioritizing cultural competency - Broadly speaking, we define cultural competency as understanding and respecting the differences that make us who we are. We view this concept as an essential tenet of continuous learning for our employees. When they lean in, they enhance their leadership skills and grow in their abilities to work with their teams and serve our members.

• Advancing clinical health equity - Building on the work of our annual Health Equity report, launched in 2022, we will actively seek ways to address barriers to care and improve quality of care for our neighbors across Tennessee. Connecting cultural competency and inclusion to our day-to-day operations is a logical and necessary extension of our work as a health insurer.

• Championing inclusion in Tennessee communities - We recognize that our reputation as a leader in diversity and inclusion has created a responsibility for us to live out these values and support them where we live and work. Hosting the annual Power of We Conference and providing a forum to support the creation of workplaces where everyone feels valued is essential to this commitment.

Over the last 20-plus years, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has evolved its approach to diversity and inclusion in the spirit of expanding and sharing our knowledge. We remain committed to this work as we continue to embrace the Power of We and the differences that strengthen us and allow us to work better together.

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