EXCELLENCE IN
SERVICE AWARDS

While “Data Scientist” is not a typical title found at a small nonprofit, capturing and understanding data is critical to inform approaches and demonstrate impact to funders and stakeholders. Through our skills-based volunteer program, Mitchell has used his data skills to help six nonprofits develop systems that allows them to better organize, utilize and secure their participant data. In 2022, he volunteered more than 30 hours to help Legendary Legacies identify a new data platform to track success measures and About Fresh to improve their data security.

A trained hair stylist, Annie sharpened her scissors to donate over 100 hours’ worth of haircuts to various charities and individuals in 2022. Annie supported one-day volunteer initiatives like the Buzz Off for Cancer head shaving event to raise funds to fight pediatric cancer, and the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation’s All Veterans ‘Stand Down’ event on Veteran’s Day to thank those who have served our country with a free trim and a smile. She regularly provides services to both patients at Boston Children’s Hospital and nursing home residents.

Every community deserves to have safe, inviting green spaces that are accessible to all – and Jakia Glover and Derek Hayes wanted to make sure this was true for their Dorchester neighborhood park – Erie Green. In 2022, Derek and Jakia were instrumental in advocating for the park to receive equitable resources and attention from both Blue Cross and The Trustees. In addition to leading several park cleanup projects, they also served on the planning group to secure a Little Free Library for the park and helped plan an Earth Day celebration at a local school

As the leader of his department’s “People Team”, John Kelley, helps organize volunteer and wellness events to foster an environment that is “more than just a place to work.” He has been a consistent team leader on our annual company-wide day of service and has spearheaded engagement of his team and others. In November, John led a donation drive for Boston Healthcare for the Homeless that collected 760 hats and 210 pairs of gloves for community members experiencing homelessness. As John says, “I’ve witnessed the ravages of mental health issues, addiction, disease, and homelessness and their corresponding impacts on my community. Solutions are oftentimes overwhelming to consider, but our work at Blue Cross towards a healthier, more equitable, and just community, gives me hope.”

Pam O’Brien is committed to supporting organizations in her community and inspiring others to join her. As a longtime member of the BlueCrew Leadership Council, helping lead our project with Project Just Because (PJB), she’s expanded her involvement far beyond the one day. In addition to enlisting the support of family and friends to help move inventory during PJB’s transition to their new warehouse, Pam’s raised her hand to help recruit volunteers as the leader of five of their Saturday food distributions and done outreach to neighboring business to solicit their volunteer support as well. She’s also involved with the St. Mary’s Church in Franklin, volunteering at their monthly food distributions and participating in home visits to clients as needed. She is fulfilled by helping others and often tells those she serves that they are a blessing her life, because she is able to help them.

Carrie MacLean is known within her division as the go-to person for volunteering. As a true service champion, not only does she dedicate countless hours on her own to support Carepacks, Weymouth Food Panty, Old South Church, Interfaith Social Services, American Red Cross, and the Pond Plain Improvement Association in Weymouth, but she also finds ways to connect Blue Cross to these organizations. Through her introduction, volunteers supported Carepacks during our annual Service Day helping ensure that soldiers have basic necessities and personal care items. She also helped establish an ongoing volunteer relationship with Interfaith Social Services, where colleagues from her Health and Medical Management division volunteer monthly to support the local food bank.

Tracy is the outgoing president of the company’s AZULatinx employee resource group and is a champion and advocate for our Spanish-speaking members and community. In her leadership role, she’s engaged AZULatinx members with impactful programming via monthly meetings and guest speakers as well as events during Hispanic Heritage Month. She piloted a program with the bilingual member and provider service call center team called Caminos AZUL that provided quarterly one-on-one support and career guidance to associates who support our Spanish-speaking members. Tracy is also a trustee of the Weymouth Library, helping the library adopt policies and plans, create board by-laws and procedures and provide budget support.

As a long-time leader in our Women’s Inclusion Network, Sonia continuously shares resources, offers a helping hand, and provides opportunities to support women at Blue Cross and in our communities. She hosts a quarterly book club and collaborates with other ERGs throughout the year to plan topical book conversations for their affinity months. She’s also worked closely with the Corporate Citizenship team to coordinate volunteer events for WIN members that support women’s health and wellbeing, such as providing new mothers with care packages and blankets with the Dimock Center, creating female hygiene product kits for women experiencing homelessness with Dignity Matters, and organizing a clothing drive for Interfaith Social Services. In addition to her leadership within our employee resource groups, Sonia supports the company’s recruitment and engagement work as a member of our Talent Ambassador team, champions and leads volunteer projects as a member of our BlueCrew Leadership Council and is an active member of her school’s Parent Teacher Organization.

Chris and Dawna are active members of the Blue Cross company garden program and are committed to using the harvest for good. As skilled gardeners, they both regularly go above and beyond to care for the communal plots at the office gardens, helping ensure the crops are healthy and thriving, and sharing their knowledge and tips with others. In addition to sharing the produce from the gardens with friends and family, Chris and Dawna’s hard work also produces hundreds of pounds of fresh, organic vegetables that the company donates to the Weymouth Food Pantry and Interfaith Social Services to support those experiencing food insecurity.