2026 Healthcare Leadership Awards | Feautured Speaker

Kristen Cerf
President and Chief Executive Officer
Blue Shield of California Promise Plan

Kristen Cerf is president and chief executive officer of Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, Blue Shield of California’s Medi-Cal plan serving more than 500,000 members in Los Angeles and San Diego counties. 

She leads the plan’s work to expand equitable access to high-quality, compassionate care for underserved communities across Southern California, with a focus on bringing care, education, and social services directly to members where they live, work, and go to school. Cerf also serves on Governor Gavin Newsom’s Protect Access to Health Care Act Stakeholder Advisory Committee. 

Before becoming CEO, Cerf held senior leadership roles at Blue Shield Promise, including vice president of Medi-Cal growth strategy and chief legal officer. Her experience spans health plan strategy, regulatory compliance, legal counsel, community engagement, and provider partnerships.  Prior to Blue Shield, she practiced healthcare regulatory law at the California Department of Managed Health Care, a national health plan, and at Locke Lord LLP. 

Cerf earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, and her Juris Doctorate from University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law. She also serves on the board of Project Angel Food.