The Philadelphia Business Journal named Gregory E. Deavens, Independence Blue Cross president and CEO, and Lorina Marshall-Blake, vice president of Community Affairs at Independence and president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, to its 2023 Power 101 list.
The Power 101 list spotlights people who have a strong impact in shaping the future of the Philadelphia region. The list is decided on by the Philadelphia Business Journal’s editorial team. Business and community leaders on the list are selected in part for carving a path forward and creating new opportunities for growth in their industries in the region. The list does not include elected officials.
Deavens has served as Independence Blue Cross president and CEO since January 2021. Under his leadership, the company has been committed to advancing equitable, whole-person health. This commitment includes efforts to reduce racial and economic health inequities and to integrate physical and mental health care. Deavens has also developed partnerships and innovations that can help reduce the cost of medications for members and customers.
Marshall-Blake has led the Independence Blue Cross Foundation for more than 10 years. She has played a key role in helping the Foundation address emerging health needs in southeastern Pennsylvania, such as the opioid addiction epidemic. Her efforts also helped bolster community health centers and the nursing workforce. In 2022, Marshall-Blake helped lead the Foundation’s launch of the Institute for Health Equity which focuses efforts to reduce and prevent health disparities.
Deavens and Marshall-Blake appeared in a special Power 101 list publication issued on March 3, 2023. The Power 101 list can be viewed here. A slideshow of the honorees can be viewed here. A subscription may be needed to view the list and slideshow. The list is presented in alphabetical order and is not a ranking.
Deavens and Marshall-Blake were previously named to the 2021 Power 100 list.