HealthPartners | 8170 33rd Avenue South | Bloomington, MN 55425 | Phone: 952-883-5383 | Fax: 952-883-5350 | mary.k.brainerd@healthparnters.com
Mary Brainerd is president and CEO of HealthPartners, one of the nation’s largest health care organizations. HealthPartners companies serve roughly 1.25 million medical and dental health plan members, making it the largest consumer-governed, nonprofit health care organization in the United States. Its operating entities have 10,000 employees, including 700 physicians, at more than 70 locations. Brainerd, who grew up in St. Paul, serves on the boards of the Minnesota Community Foundation, The St. Paul Foundation, Minneapolis Federal Reserve, SurModics, Capital City Partnership, and the Minnesota Business Partnership. She's also a founding member of the Itasca Project. Before joining HealthPartners in 1992, she held senior level positions with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
Born: September 28, 1953, in St. Paul
Spouse: Richard “Dick” Brainerd
Children: Andrew, Mary
Education: MBA, University of St. Thomas; bachelor of arts, University of Minnesota
Career history: HealthPartners: president and CEO, 2002–present; executive vice president and chief operating officer, 2000–2002; executive vice president, care delivery, 1994–2000; executive director and chief operating officer, MedCenters and Contracted Care Systems, 1994
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota: senior vice president and chief marketing officer, 1992–1994; senior vice president and chief operating officer, Blue Plus, 1985–1992; vice president, health services, 1984
Outside activities: Board chair, Minnesota Council of Health Plans; board member, Minnesota Life/Securian; Minnesota Community Foundation and The St. Paul Foundation; chair, The Itasca Project Federal Reserve Bank Minneapolis; board, Surmodics; Capital City Partnership; Alliance of Community Health Plans; Minnesota Business Partnership
Awards received: KPMG Role Model for the Advancement of Women as Business and Community Leaders Award, 2008; Executive of the Year, Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, 2007; Century College’s Women of Distinction Award, 2006; Top 25 Women in Health Care, Modern Healthcare, 2005; Jean Harris Award, Women’s Health Leadership Trust, 2005; University of St. Thomas Award for Ethical Leadership, 2002; Most Influential Woman in Business, Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, 2002, 1999; Medal of Distinction, College of St. Catherine
Key achievements: "I feel so fortunate to work in health care—a field that has such a significant impact on the quality of peoples’ lives. But we all know that there is so much that still needs to be done to improve the health of our community. The system is not working for many struggling individuals and families. For me, success is about providing affordable, accessible health care for all. It means ending the racial and economic disparities that limit peoples’ ability to get the care and services they need. It’s about building a system that serves all health care needs—not discriminating between physical and mental health. And it means making sure people have the right care at the right time. If I can make inroads in this area, then I will know that I have made a difference."
