COUNTRY OF BIRTH

United States

INDUSTRY

Health Insurance/Legal

TOP ACHIEVEMENTS

Known as one of the foremost specialists on healthcare insurance in the United States, Angela Braly served as president and CEO of WellPoint Inc. from 2007 until 2012 and as chair of the board from 2010 to 2012. During her tenure, Braly was instrumental in helping WellPoint achieve US$60 billion in revenue and attain the largest membership in the United States. She was named as one of the most powerful women in the world by Forbes.

EARLY LIFE

Angela Braly was born on 2 July 1961 in Dallas, Texas in the United States. She attended Richardson High School in Texas, one of the oldest high schools in the district. Braly worked hard at school and successfully completed her high school education in 1979.

EDUCATION

Angela Braly enrolled at Texas Tech University where she graduated with a bachelor of business administration in 1982. She then enrolled at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1985.

Rise to Success

Early in her career, Angela Braly practiced law as a partner at Lewis, Rice & Fishersh LC, a law firm based in St. Louis. When a senior partner in the firm was away on a ski trip, Braly was left to work on a tough negotiation for a client. The client, John O’Rourke, was the future CEO of Blue Cross. In 1999 O’Rourke appointed Braly as general counsel for Blue Cross of Missouri. After the company was acquired by WellPoint, O’Rourke was promoted and suggested that Braly is appointed as CEO of Blue Cross of Missouri. This led to her role as president and CEO of WellPoint.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

• Recognised as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Business for 2000 by the St. Louis Business Journal.
• Named as one of the Top 25 Women in Healthcare in 2007 by Modern Healthcare.
• Served as vice-chair of the executive committee of The Business Council between 2011 and 2012.
• Braly has been quoted as saying that she believes that success builds confidence.