Az Business and AZRE magazines announced the publications’ lists of the Most Influential Women in Arizona of 2023, including Dr. Christine Bracamonte Wiggs, staff vice president of Community & Health Advancement for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement. In celebration of the 12th anniversary of the Most Influential Women program, azbigmedia.com is profiling one of the Most Influential Women of 2023 each day leading up to the Most Influential Women of 2023 dinner and reception.
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The Most Influential Women for 2023 will be honored at a reception on Thursday, August 17 at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix. For sponsorship information, email Amy.Lindsey@azbigmedia.com. For information about the event honoring the Most Influential Women, email Lynette.Carrington@azbigmedia.com or click here. To buy tickets, click here.
Dr. Christine Bracamonte Wiggs, staff vice president of Community & Health Advancement for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement
BACKGROUND: Dr. Christine Bracamonte Wiggs leads initiatives that drive corporate social responsibility and philanthropic investment, leveraging more than two decades of experience in healthcare and public health. The work she spearheads through the Foundation tackles some of Arizona’s most pressing health conditions including mental health, substance use disorder, chronic health conditions and health equity.
CAREER PATH INSPIRATION: “I grew up around healers and thought I wanted to be a doctor until I learned about public health. The opportunity to promote the health of an entire community inspired me. At its core, the efforts I lead today are still informed by public health needs and are paired with the power of intentional philanthropy to make a measurable impact.”
SOURCE OF PRIDE: “The rigor of my translational research graduate-level training gave me the skills, perspective and confidence to lead beyond my public health lane. Today, through the Foundation, we’ve built a responsive model of corporate philanthropy. We marry the power of data with relationship-building to affect positive, meaningful change together with community partners.”
SOURCE OF INSPIRATION: “Dr. Sally Stevens at the University of Arizona was my role model who exemplified what it takes to be a smart, dedicated and community-minded leader. She was unconditionally supportive and provided growth opportunities to learn, and sometimes fail, but always learn. Through her approach, I gained the confidence to act without fear of failure.”
SURPRISING FACT: “I invented avocado toast. Years before it was a trendy menu option, I was ordering half an avocado that I would smash onto a piece of whole wheat toast and top it with a scrambled egg. And voila — avocado toast was born!”
