Business Advisory Council Member Biographies

Ms. Leann Rogers, CPA ’89

Vice President, Key Client and Consultant Strategy

Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Leann Rogers, a native of Bradley, Arkansas, graduated in 1989 with a BBA in Accounting from Southern Arkansas University. After graduation, Leann worked for the national accounting firm, BKD LLP, for several years with primary focus on healthcare-related auditing.

After overseeing the purchase and integration of several organizations during her tenure at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, Leann joined Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield as a marketing representative in the Southeast Region in July 1995. With responsibility for sales and retention of employer group health plans, in 1997, Leann was promoted to Lead Marketing Representative and in 1998, Marketing Manager.

In December 2002, Leann was promoted to Regional Executive for the South Central Region based in Hot Springs and in March 2005, Leann became the Regional Executive of the Southwest Region based in Texarkana. As Regional Executive, Leann was responsible for provider contracting, health management, underwriting, group sales and customer service for these geographic areas. Additionally, Leann served as President of Southwest Health Link, a joint venture between Arkansas Blue Cross and Christus St. Michael in Texarkana, TX.

In 2015, Leann started in a new division at Arkansas Blue Cross, becoming the Lead Executive of Ancillary Products, including dental, vision and life insurance products. In November of 2020, Leann was promoted to Vice President, Key Client & Consultant Strategy. In recent years, Leann has successfully led sales efforts to win the business of Fortune 500 companies, large governmental organizations, and higher education in addition to product development work and leading major corporate strategic initiatives.

In addition to being a licensed Certified Public Accountant, Leann also holds Health and Life Agent licenses in several states. Leann is a graduate of the Senior Executives Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School. Among other organizations, Leann has served in various leadership positions with United Way, Arkansas Literacy Council for Miller & Bowie Counties, and the Arkansas Arthritis Foundation.