PETER MEADE BIO
Executive Vice President
Corporate Affairs
Peter Meade is a health care leader in Massachusetts with proven accomplishments straddling the state's business, civic and political arenas. Throughout his career at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts that began in 1996, Peter has used his wide-ranging background to advocate for improving the state's health care system, and for creating greater value for patients, doctors and hospitals and employers.
As the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, he is responsible for directing Public Relations, Government Relations, Legislative Affairs, Community Relations, Regulatory Affairs, and Corporate Communications for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Through the years, Peter has built lasting relationships with community groups, government officials, business and religious leaders as well as the media, and by doing so has played a significant role in the economic, political and civic life of Boston and New England.
Prior to joining Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Peter served as President and CEO of The New England Council, and represented regional business concerns in Washington, D.C. Under Peter's leadership, the Council played leading roles in advancing the interests of the regional economy, creating an aviation plan for the region, and establishing programs in the transportation and defense industries. The only former President in Council's 80-year history to later serve as Chair, Peter continues to work with the Council as a member of the Board of Directors. Peter's extensive experience in business also includes having served as Vice President at Warner Amex Cable Communications.
From 1983 to 1992, Peter gained a reputation for astute political analysis and commentary as a radio talk show host at WBZ radio. In this role Peter helped to elevate the public discourse on a variety of controversial political and social issues, contributing constructive discussion and debate. He provided a lively interactive forum for interviews with presidents, heads of state, renowned authors, and local and national politicians.
In the 1970s, Peter served as Public Safety Coordinator for the City of Boston during federally mandated school desegregation. He emerged from the most turbulent years of desegregation with a strong reputation for fairness and an unwavering commitment to civil rights. As Commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation for the City of Boston, Peter led a revitalization of the city's parklands.
In addition to his responsibilities at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Peter shares his time and effort with various community and service organizations. He is the Chair of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy and Co-Chairman of the MassINC Board of Directors. He serves on the Board of Directors for the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, the Anti-Defamation League of New England, The New England Council, AAA of Southern New England and the Lenny Zakim Fund. He is the former Chair of Catholic Charities, the former Vice Chair of his alma mater, Emerson College, and former member of the board of directors of Neighborhood Health Plan and Health Care for the Homeless.
In 2002, Peter Meade was also instrumental in assembling a coalition of prominent religious, civic, business, political and cultural figures in support of naming and dedicating the new Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge. His understated and diligent work as Chair of the Dedication Committee resulted in an extraordinary public event celebrating the inclusiveness and collaboration that were hallmarks of Lenny Zakim's work and life. For this work, and for his lifetime commitment to diversity and justice in the community, Peter was honored with the 2003 Chairperson's Award from the Anti-Defamation League.
In recognition for his service to the community, Peter has received honorary degrees from Emerson College, Stonehill College, Mt. Ida College and Framingham State College. Peter has also been awarded the Freedom Trail Foundation's 2004 Boston Patriot Award, and the Massachusetts Association of Mental Health's 2005 Friend and Leader Award.
Peter lives in Boston with his wife, Rosanne Bacon Meade.