At Eagan-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Ruth Hafoka fosters a workplace culture of empowerment, diversity, and innovation. A recent employee engagement survey had Blue Cross scoring above the national average, a significant increase from the previous year.

Last year was a time of community trauma. In response, Hafoka doubled volunteer paid time off for all employees after Blue Cross declared racism a public health crisis. She also worked to ensure all employees could give back to causes and organizations that were personally meaningful.