Angela Braly
From working as a waitress, Angela Braly enhanced her lot to become one of the world’s most powerful businesswomen. She is currently the president and CEO of Wellpoint, America’s largest health insurer.
For a point of comparison, one in nine Americans carries a Wellpoint card. In its aim to provide health benefits and security, WellPoint has covered the health plans of 35 million Americans.
Armed with a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University, Angela Braly worked her way from the lowest rung to the top of WellPoint. First, she found work as private lawyer for Blue Cross Blue Shield in Missouri.
WellPoint is the parent company and independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield system, which has 14 operations across America. Angela Braly ultimately became president and CEO of the association’s Missouri company.
She then started her climb to the top. In a short amount of time, Angela Braly became chief public affairs officer, before serving as executive vice president. With this role, she led America’s biggest business for processing Medicare claims, among many others.
Angela Braly got her present post in June 2007. In effect, she became in charge of a company employing 40,000 associates nationwide, with revenues in excess of $61 billion. She ranks as one of just a few female CEOs of Fortune 35 companies.
Braly was installed as CEO with much publicity, if only because she was female. As of 2009, she ranks no. 4 in Fortune magazine’s list of the 50 Most Powerful Businesswomen. Forbes magazine has also accorded her single-digit positions in its World’s Most Powerful Women lists over the years. She’s also been featured in several other magazines including, Modern Healthcare magazine which named her one of health care’s Top 25 Women.
Angela earned a degree in finance from Texas Tech University. The university’s alumni association bestowed upon her its Distinguished Alumni Award in November 2007.
She has three children.