The Directors to Watch: Racial & Ethnic Diversity Class of 2025 highlights 24 significant and diverse directors who have contributed to and will continue to expand ongoing dialogue on board best practices and corporate governance excellence.
Michelle RhodesBrown
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield of Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Michelle RhodesBrown is an independent director of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield of Maryland and Washington, D.C., serving on the finance and investment and mission oversight committees. Additionally, she serves on the investment and corporate governance and securities litigation committees of the Maryland State Retirement & Pension System.
Her board experience includes the Pension Oversight Commission of Howard County, Md., and the AEW Core Property LP advisory board.
RhodesBrown is the CFO of The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore and a seasoned financial strategist with an approach that integrates strategic vision with operational efficiency. She earned a master's in finance and accounting from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and a bachelor's in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
The past informs but does not predict. “Beginning with the end in mind is a widely accepted business maxim that requires a clearly defined strategic direction. However, markets are dynamic. While the past is informative, it's often not predictive. Changes in the competitive landscape often necessitate changes in direction. A company's ability to thoughtfully evolve and innovate is critical for the long-term sustainability of the organization. Board members and financial executives who think strategically and ask insightful questions about changes in industry and market trends are critical in ensuring that companies can successfully navigate market threats and are poised to capitalize on emerging opportunities.”