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Chief HR Officer Jeanie Heffernan recognized with industry award

By May 21, 2019July 9th, 2020Company Updates
headshot of Jeanie Heffernan, Chief HR Officer at Independence

On May 6, Independence Health Group EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer Jeanie Heffernan was recognized as one of the winners of the 2019 CHRO of the Year Awards by HRO Today. Heffernan won in the “CEO Partnership” category for her work championing diversity and inclusion initiatives in the company. The CHRO of the Year Awards were presented at the HRO Today Awards Gala at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

“Jeanie is a trusted advisor and valued member of Independence’s senior team, and I am so pleased to congratulate her on this important award,” said Daniel J. Hilferty, Independence CEO. “Through Jeanie’s tireless leadership, our diversity and inclusion strategy has become a strong and vibrant part of our culture, embedded in our values and how we work together every day.”

Heffernan, a longtime chief human resources officer with experience in the health insurance, technology, and banking industries, identified the need to formalize a diversity and inclusion strategy and take the company’s efforts to the next level.

Among her accomplishments, Heffernan:

  • Spearheaded the creation of nine associate resource groups, who count among their members Independence’s most highly engaged associates. These resource groups not only foster associates’ professional development but also support Independence’s business strategy. For example, two resource groups, PRIDE and Latinos con Proposito, have consulted with the marketing division to improve how the company interacts with the LGBT and Latino communities, respectively.
  • Brought innovative programs to Independence, such as the Know Your Value development program, an associate engagement initiative focused especially on women that was offered jointly with Comcast/NBCUniversal, one of Independence’s key customers.

Heffernan began leading human resources at Independence in 2011, with 25 years of experience in multiple business sectors, including health care insurance, technology, and banking. She has been active in the nonprofit arena throughout her career, currently serving on the board of Graduate! Philadelphia and West Catholic Preparatory High School.