Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont Board of Directors Welcomes Foster and Whalen
Caroline Foster and T.J. Whalen have joined our board of directors. Both are bring deep experience in driving business transformation strategies that will support Blue Cross's goals of increasing quality outcomes while bending the premium cost curve.
Berlin, Vermont — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont welcomes Caroline Foster and T.J. Whalen to the board of directors of Vermont’s only local non-profit health plan. Both individuals bring deep experience in driving business transformation strategies that will support our goals of increasing quality outcomes while bending the premium cost curve.
Caroline Foster is a senior-level global product manager with over 25 years of business and IT leadership designing, building, and managing product portfolios and platforms in highly regulated industries. Caroline’s focus is on digital business transformation that delivers data-driven business value, modernizes operations, and enriches customer experiences by leveraging emerging technologies and innovative solutions.
T.J. Whalen is General Partner and Managing Director at FreshTracks Capital, focusing his efforts on consumer opportunities for the fund. T.J. brings over 25 years of business model innovation, consumer product strategy, brand, marketing and sales leadership to FreshTracks.
“I have the privilege of working with an incredibly knowledgeable and experienced group of individuals on the board, each bringing a unique skillset that adds to the collective impact,” said Charlie Smith, Chair of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont Board of Directors. “Caroline’s expertise with patient-facing technology and T.J.’s perspective on business model innovation will support our priority of enhancing our member’s care while finding efficiencies in the way Vermont’s health system operates.”
Caroline works with Fortune 100 companies in the healthcare industry as a Director of Product Management with Publicis Sapient, the digital transformation hub of Publicis Groupe, the 3rd largest communications group in the world. Caroline is re-imagining digital healthcare delivery through the design and development of a best-in-class patient portal.
T.J. was formerly the Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer for Keurig Green Mountain (GMCR), a $4.5 billion consumer products, coffee and beverage manufacturer. Prior to Keurig Green Mountain, T.J. held marketing, product and sales leadership roles at Patagonia, a leading apparel and outdoor gear manufacturer; Leo Burnett, a global advertising and marketing services agency; and Adventurous Traveler (acquired by Away.com), a direct marketer of adventure travel services.
“As we look to the future of healthcare in Vermont, we are striving everyday toward improving quality outcomes for our members,” said Don George, President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont. “We come to the table to think holistically about how healthcare, technology and business solutions can work more seamlessly together. I very much look forward to working with T.J. and Caroline as we build a better system of care for all Vermonters.”
T.J. holds a B.A. in Economics and Education from Dartmouth College. Caroline received her B.A. from Smith College and her M.B.A. from Clark University. She also has completed leadership expeditions with the National Outdoor Leadership School and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Both Vermonters, Caroline lives in South Burlington, and T.J. lives in Charlotte.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is Vermont’s only local, not-for-profit health plan. For over 30 years, the company has been enhancing the health and well-being of the Vermonters we serve by offering innovative plans to individuals, older Vermonters, and businesses. Our employees are dedicated to developing new ways to support high-quality care, programs, and events that promote wellness. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
