Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has promoted Bukata Hayes to the position of vice-president, chief equity officer. Hayes, who has been vice president for racial equity and health equity since March 20,21, will assume this new role. She will be responsible to integrate all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEIB), strategies into the Racial & Health Equity department.
Hayes can align the internal representation goals at DEIB and the external facing RHE portfolio initiatives to increase the impact of talent and recruitment efforts. This will allow Blue Cross to maximize its workforce potential to better reflect the increasing diversity of Blue Cross members and the Minnesota population.
Hayes, who will be the chief equity officer, reports directly to the CEO. He also serves as a member the company’s senior leadership.
Hayes served as the executive director for the Greater Mankato Diversity Council nearly 15 years before joining Blue Cross. Hayes has over 20 years experience in organizing and facilitating systemic changes within large and small systems, such as K-12, non-profit, and rural communities.
Hayes earned his bachelor’s degree at the College of St. Scholastica, Duluth. He has been a member of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation board of directors since 2014.