About Independence Blue Cross

Crystal E. Ashby Executive Vice President, Chief People, DEI, and Communications Officer

Crystal E. Ashby is executive vice president, chief people, DEI, and communications officer at Independence Health Group (Independence), the parent company of Independence Blue Cross, LLC.

As chief people officer, Ms. Ashby leads the Human Resources division in attracting and developing talent and achieving business strategy and goals. As chief DEI officer, she advances a culture of engagement, inclusion, and innovation as critical components of Independence’s corporate culture. As chief communications officer, Ms. Ashby oversees internal and external communications and brand strategy, media and public relations, and communications planning.

Prior to joining Independence, Ms. Ashby served as interim president and chief executive officer at The Executive Leadership Council. Her career includes 22 years at BP, most recently serving as executive vice president of Government and Public Affairs and Strategic University Relationships. In this role, she formed strong partnerships that supported talent acquisition and development.

Ms. Ashby has extensive board experience. She currently serves as a non-executive director of BAE Systems plc. Ms. Ashby also serves as the vice chair of the board for Texas Reliability Entity and formerly served on the Holocaust Museum Houston Board. At her alma mater, the University of Michigan, she sits on the Engineering Dean’s Leadership Advisory Board, chairing its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion external council.

Nationally recognized for her leadership, Ms. Ashby has received many accolades, including being named one of Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America, National Diversity & Leadership Conference Power 50 (2023), Philadelphia Business Journal’s Women of Influence (2023), Diversity Woman Media Class of 2022 Elite 100 Black Women Leaders, City & State PA’s Impact 75 (2023) and Impact 50 (2022), National Diversity Council Top 100 HR Professionals (2021), Diversity Global Top 10 Influential Women in Diversity (2020), Uptown Professional Top 100 Executives in America, and the National Diversity Council Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Oil and Gas.

Ms. Ashby is a member of the International Women’s Forum and the American Bar Association. She earned a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law and dual bachelor’s degrees in English and psychology from the University of Michigan.

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