Highmark Health invests $1.5 million in diversity, taps Evan Frazier for new post
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In a year when the Black Lives Matter movement has inspired racial awareness initiatives in much of corporate America, Highmark Health has announced a commitment to increase diversity leadership in Pittsburgh.
Highmark said it is investing $1.5 million in The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI), a new nonprofit organization focused on increasing Black executive leadership throughout the Pittsburgh region and nationally.
The plan includes a one-time contribution of $1 million in seed funding and $100,000 annually for five years. Highmark officials said the financial commitment is part of its ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
“We will be persistent in our objectives to increase inclusion and representation across our organization and within the communities we serve,” said Dan Onorato, executive vice president of corporate affairs at Highmark Health. “Our continued support of TALI is a natural next-step and will remain an important piece of our strategic DEI framework.”
According to Highmark, in its first three years the TALI Cohort Community has grown to nearly 80 Black executives and mid-level managers. Evan Frazier, currently Highmark senior vice president of community affairs, will become president and CEO of TALI, beginning March 8.
“I am so grateful to Highmark Health for this incredible leadership commitment to The Advanced Leadership Institute,” said Frazier. “Not only have they provided to TALI sponsorship resources over the years, but from the very beginning, they supported me in this unique endeavor to advance leadership diversity for African Americans in our region. Their investments in me and in the community have truly made a difference.”
Frazier grew up in Pittsburgh, graduating from Peabody High School in 1988. He earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and has a master’s degree in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Highmark said it has developed a five-part strategy for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts focusing on health disparities and inequities, community engagement and external affairs, minority talent representation, market outreach programs and supplier diversity.
The health giant recently named Robert James its new chief diversity and inclusion officer and appointed Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew its first chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer.