Blue Shield of California announces Lois Quam as 1st Ever Female CEO

By: WE Staff | Friday, 17 January 2025

• Lois Quam becomes 1^st Female CEO of Blue Shield of California
• The organisation announces its new parent company

Recently in the month of January, Blue Shield of California made an announcement regarding the new CEO of the organisation along with chief operating officer as well as new parent company as a broad restructuring part. The new CEO position will be occupied by Lois Quam.

Founded in 1939 at San Francisco, currently Blue Shield of California is headquartered in Oakland, catering in the Insurance industry, having specialities in Not-for-profit California Health Plan, health insurance, and access to health care.

Lois Quam is a seasoned leader who became the first ever female CEO of this organisation. Joining in 2024, Lois initially served as the president, later getting promoted to new position. Prior to joining here, she was working with Pathfinder International as the Chief Executive Officer for over 7 years and at The Nature Conservancy as Chief Operating Officer for 2 years. One more significant organisation of her career experience includes U.S. Department of State where she worked as the Special Advisor for more than 3 years. UnitedHealth Group is another organisation where Lois has spent 17 years of her professional life, working as President and CEO, Public and Senior Markets.

“The health care crisis threatens the livelihoods of every Californian and all Americans. We are not waiting for the system to fix itself. We are taking action,” says Kristina Leslie, the Blue Shield of California board of directors’ chair.

Lois added, “I am focused on the challenges facing our members in every corner of our state, who gather at their kitchen tables and wrestle with their health care decisions and whether they can afford them. As the only statewide nonprofit health plan, we can help make those conversations — and their lives — better.”