Our people ...

4,800

81%

48%

598

66%

27%

Commitment to Diversity

As a large employer in North Carolina, our workforce has the opportunity to impact the lives of many of our fellow North Carolinians. Our workforce is the backbone of our organization and a great source of information about trends and member needs. Healthy and happy employees mean healthy and happy members.

We seek to attract and retain a highly skilled and diverse workforce to serve our members throughout the state. We rely on our current employee mix (see sidebar at right; “Our people”)

We seek to attract and retain a highly-skilled and diverse workforce to serve our members throughout the state; we simply want the best talent available to deliver on our promises.

An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® Mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. SM Mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

Our diversity initiatives are fully integrated into the key elements of our corporate DNA: our culture, our workforce, our marketplace and our community. Each element contributes to our overall success. Long ago, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) recognized that integrating diverse perspectives in our daily operations gives us a distinct and competitive marketplace advantage. Our commitment to diversity enables us to better understand our members’ specific healthcare needs, communicate with them more effectively, and anticipate their future needs.

BCBSNC employees

of our workforce is female

of our workforce is made up of minorities

total people leaders at BCBSNC

of our people leaders are female

4,800

81%

48%

598

66%

27% of our people leaders are minorities

Our workforce...

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, diversity means respecting and putting to full use the talents and perspectives of each employee. Appreciating our diversity builds morale, bridges our differences, leads to creative business solutions, and maximizes the individual and collective potential of our employees.

From the first day of employment, our employees learn about our commitment to respecting each and every employee. We support an environment that values the opinions of every person we encounter each workday.

We’ve launched a broad range of programs that foster an inclusive and collaborative culture. Last year, we introduced a successful program for our leaders to foster dialogue and encourage employees to address their differences directly, while leveraging their similarities to drive proficiency and productivity.

Here are just a few of the other diversity programs we’ve implemented:

Employee Networks. • Our employee networks, while formed around a shared interest and/or background, are open to all employees. Current networks include Young Professionals (YoPro), Women’s Network (WEN), African American Black Employees (AABEN), Hispanic and Bilingual Employees (HABLA), and LGBT employees and allies (SPECTRUM)).

Divisional Diversity Teams. • Business unit specific diversity teams that integrate the organization’s diversity goals into the department business plan.

Year-round Cultural Awareness Programs. • Programs designed to increase awareness among all employees of various cultures, significant events and observances.

Our culture...

Employee Networks

One size does not fit all when it comes to the healthcare of a population as diverse as the state of North Carolina. To make sure we’re meeting the needs of all members, teams throughout our company focus on developing products and programs that address the unique needs of our members.

We’re always studying the population and the cultural demographics of our state so that we can develop healthcare products that serve the ever-changing needs of our fellow North Carolinians.

Our marketplace...BCBSNC cannot succeed without a thriving community. That’s why we’re dedicated to the health and financial well-being of all North Carolinians.

Some of our community efforts benefiting diverse communities include:

• TriangleMLKDayofService• NCPrideParadeandFestival• LaFiestadelPueblo

Our concern for the community also extends to ourSupplierDiversityefforts.Thisprogrambuildsstrong partnerships with women-, minority-, and LBGT-owned enterprises that provide goods and services at competitive prices.

Our community...

”CompetitiveInclusion,”ourfive-yearstrategydevelopedbyourDiversityCouncil,chartsourjourneytowardsagreater understanding of diversity by focusing on the idea that true value comes when we better understand our members and ourselves. This approach seeks to leverage diversity and inclusion as a competitive advantage for BCBSNC.

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, diversity and inclusion are the keys to our continued success. In every aspect of our business, how we interact with our members and each other changes the course of our journey.

For additional information please contact:KimDrumgo,ChiefDiversityOfficial

Carmella Melton,DiversityProgramCoordinator

Our continuing journey...