40 Influential Leaders - Maria Proulx

Maria Proulx
President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in NH

The head of the state’s largest insurance provider is a proud NH native, believer in teamwork and transparency, and a woman who turns to soccer after a hard day at the office.

A Dover native, Maria Proulx earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of NH and a law degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law, initially pursuing a career in law. After clerking for two years in the state’s Superior Court system, she practiced law for four years at Orr & Reno in Concord, with a focus on civil and commercial litigation and family law. Then a friend who works at Anthem suggested she might enjoy working there.

Before being named president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in NH in 2022, Proulx held positions on the provider, legal and compliance teams, and served as vice president of segment solutions and regional vice president of sales.

She and her teams have been pioneers in behavioral health and telehealth, with Anthem recently announcing it is reducing member copays for both in-person and virtual behavioral healthcare visits to make them the same or lower than primary care visit copays. Anthem was also one of the first insurers to introduce virtual doctor visits with its LiveHealth Online program, launched in 2013 and initially only to national employers.

But Anthem has also faced its share of criticisms, among them charges that it is too slow to pay hospitals and other medical providers. Proulx sees the challenges as opportunities. “My style is open, honest, direct transparency no matter what the topic,” she says. “I say to my team, ‘it’s not about the mistakes you make, it’s how you come back from that mistake.’”

To reduce stress, she turns to soccer. The mother of three has coached her children’s teams, plays herself, and is both president of the FC Exeter Soccer Club and board member of the Northern New England Soccer League. “No matter how stressful my workday was, it’s my happy place,” she says. Proulx also serves on the board for the Business & Industry Association of NH and is a frequent guest lecturer at NH colleges.

As for issues facing NH, she lists the need for more access to behavioral health care and addressing the needs of the state’s aging population, starting with strengthening the primary care network. Increasing digital telehealth, especially in the North Country, is also a priority.