PRESS RELEASE

IBC Foundation president Lorina Marshall-Blake honored by Girl Scouts of Southeastern PA

Take the Lead 2013 award recognizes women for leadership and community commitment

Philadelphia, PA — March 6, 2013 —Lorina Marshall-Blake, president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, received the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania Take the Lead 2013 award last evening at a fundraising and awards presentation held at the Bellevue at the Hyatt in Philadelphia. Two other distinguished women were also recognized: Ramona Riscoe Benson, manager of corporate relations at PECO, and Joan Carter, president of the Union League of Philadelphia.

Take the Lead 2013 is awarded to women in the community for their outstanding leadership. In honoring Marshall-Blake, the Girl Scouts recognizes her strong volunteer and leadership roles for more than 20 local, state, regional, and national organizations. She serves as an officer or committee executive for a number of those organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Gwynedd Mercy College, and the Urban League of Philadelphia. She also serves as a mentor to a group of young women who are in the process of establishing their careers. As a corporate and civic leader, she mentors many young women and leads by example.

“We have to take knowledge and pass it on. Each of us can give back by mentoring our young women and men,” said Marshall-Blake. “I believe that everyone can be great if given the right tools, and I’m fortunate to have had many opportunities in my career to help others. It’s a good day when you can be a positive influence on someone’s life or make their situation better.”

Marshall-Blake began her professional career as an administrative assistant. Within eight years of starting as an assistant to the president of Philadelphia Gas Works, Marshall-Blake was promoted to vice president of government and community relations. She joined Independence Blue Cross in 1991 working with local, state, and federal legislators, as well as agencies, on matters relevant to Independence Blue Cross. In October of 2011, she became the president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, whose mission is to transform health care through innovation in the communities it serves.

Marshall-Blake grew up in the Philadelphia area. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Antioch College and a master of arts in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her corporate responsibility, Marshall-Blake serves as an associate minister at the Vine Memorial Baptist Church.

About the Independence Blue Cross Foundation
In October 2011, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, launched a charitable, private foundation, whose mission is to transform health care through innovation in the communities it serves. The IBC Foundation and Independence Blue Cross, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, are both committed to improving the health and wellness of the people of southeastern Pennsylvania. The foundation targets the following areas of impact:

• Caring for our most vulnerable: Supporting nonprofit health clinics that deliver quality, cost-effective primary, medical, and dental care to uninsured and underinsured people.
• Enhancing health care delivery: Strengthening the nursing workforce through education, career development, and research.
• Building healthy communities: Partnering with community leaders and programs to address community health and wellness needs.

Connect with us on Twitter at @ibxfdn

Media Contact:
Ruth Stoolman
Independence Blue Cross
Ruth.stoolman@ibx.com
215.241.4807 (office)
215.280.3335 (cell)

© 2013 Independence Blue Cross Foundation
Independence Blue Cross and the Independence Blue Cross Foundation are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, serving the needs of Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania.