We are proud to announce that Joan McCusker, Executive Vice President (EVP) of Operations and Corporate Strategy at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND), has been named one of nine recipients of the 2025 Prairie Business Leaders & Legacies Award.
Presented by Prairie Business magazine, this award recognizes executives across the Upper Midwest for their exceptional leadership and lasting contributions to their organizations and communities. Joan’s recognition is a testament to her visionary leadership, people-first approach and enduring impact across industries.
A Legacy of Purpose-Driven Leadership
Since joining BCBSND in 2017, Joan has held several key executive roles, including Senior Vice President (SVP) of HR and Risk Management, EVP of Operations and Risk, and now EVP of Operations and Corporate Strategy. In each role, she has brought clarity, alignment and purpose to the organization’s mission.
Joan transformed the company’s approach to strategic planning, shifting from internal goal setting to a framework guided by our mission to simplify health care, ensure affordability and elevate well-being.
Her leadership helped embed talent development, succession planning and employee engagement into the company’s broader business strategy. She also strengthened the connection between internal operations and customer experience, ensuring that service delivery reflected the company’s values.
Leading with Heart and Vision
What truly sets Joan apart is how she leads. She listens deeply, encourages diverse perspectives and creates space for others to grow. Her steady, thoughtful presence has shaped a culture of trust, collaboration and continuous improvement.
“Joan’s influence can be seen not only in the systems she’s built, but in the leaders she’s mentored and the culture she’s helped shape,” said Dan Conrad, President and CEO of BCBSND.
A Broader Impact
Beyond her work at BCBSND, Joan has made significant contributions to the community. She has served on the boards of the National Kidney Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health and Wellbeing. She is also a founding member of the Healthcare Women Executives group, a professional network that supports women leaders across the Upper Midwest.
As Joan prepares to retire this August, we celebrate not only her achievements but the legacy she leaves behind — a legacy of purpose, empathy and enduring impact.
Read more about Joan’s recognition in the July issue of Prairie Business magazine (page 20): https://nd.blue/407U2SJ.
