Blue Cross Foundation Welcomes New President

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation Board of Directors has named Michael Tipton as Foundation president effective June 1.

As president of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, Tipton will be responsible for overall management, planning and leadership while working closely with the Board of Directors. He will oversee the Foundation’s philanthropic efforts to ensure it supports Blue Cross’ mission to improve the lives and health of all Louisianians.

Tipton brings to the Blue Cross Foundation an extensive background in nonprofit management. As executive director of Teach For America, Tipton expanded regional fundraising by more than $2 million, grew the teaching force from 40 to 180 and grew the number of Teach For America alumni living and working in the Baton Rouge area to more than 200. After leaving Teach For America in early 2015, Tipton founded Tipton Consultants, a full-service leadership and education consulting firm that specializes in executive searches, short-term leader capacity and strategic representation to help high-performing organizations grow and expand across Louisiana.

Tipton’s awards and honors include the Baton Rouge Business Report’s Top 40 under 40 (2007), LSU’s Young Alumnus of the Year Award (2013) and the John W. Barton Sr. Excellence in Nonprofit Management Award from the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (2013).

Tipton is a Baton Rouge native and graduate of Louisiana State University, where he earned a dual degree in political science and history. He later received a master’s degree in teaching from Pace University in New York.

About the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is building a healthier Louisiana through community outreach and charitable giving. Its two signature programs are The Angel Award®, an annual statewide recognition program that awards funds to outstanding Louisianians working to improve the quality of life of the state’s children, and Smart Bodies®, an interactive education program to prevent childhood obesity. In addition, Blue Cross contributes nearly $2 million annually in financial aid to various nonprofit organizations throughout the state that contribute to health, education and the overall quality of life in our communities. When we put dollars into Blue Cross communities, it makes Louisiana a better place for everyone. The Foundation is funded solely through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Founded in New Orleans in 1934, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is a private, fully taxed nonprofit company, mutually owned by policyholders—not shareholders. It is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and is governed by a Louisiana Board of Directors.

The company and its subsidiaries provide group and individual health insurance plans, life and disability insurance, group voluntary products and administrative services to Louisiana residents. With headquarters in Baton Rouge and eight district offices around the state, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is committed to improving the lives and health of all Louisianians.

Learn more on the company’s website at www.bcbsla.com or visit its social media hub to connect via Facebook, Twitter and more.

 # # #