The Independence Blue Cross Foundation announced earlier this week that Charisse Lillie has joined its Board of Directors as its new chair.

“We are delighted to have Charisse join our Board and look forward to her leadership,” said Lorina Marshall-Blake, President of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, in a press release. “I can’t think of anyone who has demonstrated a greater commitment to community service and improving the lives of our city’s most vulnerable.”

Lillie is a highly accomplished business, civic and nonprofit professional with decades of experience throughout the Philadelphia region. 

Since 2017, she has served as CEO of CRL Consulting LLC, a Philadelphia-based firm that offers consulting services in corporate governance, diversity and corporate social responsibility. 

Lillie joined CRL Consulting after retiring from Comcast Corporation. During her 12 years with Comcast, she served in a variety of roles, the most recent being executive vice president of community investment where she oversaw corporate giving while also leading the work of the Comcast Foundation as its president for several years. 

Prior to that, Lillie worked for over 13 years as a legal partner with Ballard Spahr. She also spent nearly 3 years of her time with the law firm as chair of its Litigation Department. 

Other previous roles include City Solicitor, General Counsel to the Redevelopment of the City of Philadelphia, and Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Pennsylvania’s Civil Division. Lillie also taught law at Villanova School of Law and was deputy director at Community Legal Services, Inc. 

She began her career as a law clerk for US District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Honorable Clifford Scott Green, before becoming a trial attorney in the Honors Program at the U.S. Department of Justice in the Civil Rights Division. 

“Charisse’s board executive experience in corporate philanthropy is well known and highly respected in Philadelphia,” said Independence Blue Cross President & CEO Gregory E. Deavens, in a statement.

“She is a much valued member of our corporate Board of Directors, and I know she will provide insight insightful guidance and perspective as the Foundation works with community organizations to address health access and equity in our region,” he continued.

Lillie assumes the chair position previously held by Patrick B. Gillespie, Sr., who passed away in September 2022.

“I am deeply honored to join the Board of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation and to succeed my friend Pat Gillespie, Sr. as Chair,” said Lillie in a statement. “Pat’s inspiring leadership of the Board is evident in the amazing achievements of the Foundation in its first decade.

Lillie added that she is looking forward to serving on the Board and working with the Foundation leaders “in executing on its mission of leading a future for equitable health in our communities and nation.”