Crystal Ashby, executive vice president, chief people, DEI, and communications officer at Independence Blue Cross (Independence), has been named as one of Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2023 Women of Influence honorees.
Ashby is among 30 honorees who were selected from a competitive list of over 250 nominees. Recipients were chosen based on their power to leave a lasting impression on Philadelphia. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the program, which was previously called Women of Distinction.
Through her multifaceted role at Independence, Ashby uses her influence to benefit the Greater Philadelphia region. As chief people officer, she attracts and develops talent. As DEI officer, she helps cultivate a culture of engagement, inclusion, and innovation. And in her role as chief communications officer, Ashby oversees internal and external communications, media and public relations, and communications planning.
Ashby shares her wealth of experience in the Philadelphia area and beyond, speaking on topics such as redefining workplace culture with a clear commitment to DEI, attracting and retaining emerging talent, cultural competency and eliminating disparity in health care, and the value of collaborating with community partners to address issues affecting our region.
This year’s honorees will be celebrated during an event on October 12 and profiled in a special print edition of the Philadelphia Business Journal on October 13.