Blue Shield of California Foundation Names Director of Communications and Public Affairs

SAN FRANCISCO (July 10, 2020) — Rachael Kagan, a strategic leader with two decades of experience leading communications for California health care organizations, has been named director of communications and public affairs at Blue Shield of California Foundation.

“Ms. Kagan has demonstrated the leadership, expertise, and commitment to equity that will advance our mission-driven communications,” said Debbie I. Chang, MPH, president and chief executive officer of the Foundation. “Her proven ability to build teams and collaborate, her extensive media relations savvy, and her instinct for empathetic storytelling will not only raise the Foundation’s profile but will also leverage communications as an integral strategy to advance our mission to make California the healthiest state and end domestic violence.”

Kagan, who started her career as a journalist, spent the last 20 years in public health and health-related organizations, most recently as director of communications for the San Francisco Department of Public Health, where she built a team responsible for communications for the department’s vast services and programs, including thoughtfully leading the Department’s proactive communications strategy and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to that, Kagan led communications for the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, California Prison Health Care Receivership, and California Association of Public Hospitals. Kagan earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Macalester College in Minnesota and a master’s in journalism from Syracuse University. 

# # #

About Blue Shield of California Foundation

Blue Shield of California Foundation builds lasting and equitable solutions to make California the healthiest state and end domestic violence. We believe that when we work together to remove structural barriers to health and well-being, particularly those affecting our state’s most vulnerable residents, and to support inclusive, resilient communities where all Californians have good health and positive relationships, we can create a more just and equitable future for all of us. For more information, visit:  www.blueshieldcafoundation.org. 

Press contacts:

Blue Shield of California Foundation – Andrew.Kolbenschlag [at] blueshieldcafoundation.org (Andrew Kolbenschlag), 415.229.5284

The Reis Group – lmusiol [at] thereisgroup.com (Lauren Musiol)  336.692.4238