Press Kit Leadership Biographies M. Christine Whipple | Lisa M. Polar, CEBS M. Christine Whipple Executive Director Pittsburgh Business Group on Health From employer representative to executive director, M. Christine Whipple has been with the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health every step of the way. Chris attended PBGH meetings as an employer representative from Allegheny International, Inc., where she administered and managed group insurance benefits. Throughout the 1980s, as the coalition movement gained momentum across the country, Chris became more involved in the PBGH, which was run entirely by volunteers at the time. As corporate structures changed in the late 1980s and middle management positions were consolidated, representatives had less time to volunteer with PBGH. With active participation in the coalition waning, a dedicated core of members realized the value of the coalition moving forward, but only with dedicated time and effort. It was time to hire staff. In 1993, Chris became the first PBGH executive director, serving as a part time contractor responsible for continuing the educational programs and developing initiatives, including reporting on health plan and provider benchmark data so members could assess their plans’ performances. Chris subsequently led the growth of the coalition from twenty-some member companies to over 60 members, implementing the first employer group-purchasing option in the Pittsburgh marketplace. Today, she oversees all of the coalition’s activities, from outlining its strategic direction with the board to executing the many PBGH programs and initiatives. Serving as an employer advocate, Chris is also a member of the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative Board of Directors. Chris is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University. Involved in several local organizations, she has served on the boards of directors of Rhema Christian School and the Jabez Foundation, Inc., a non-profit Christian ministry that serves the health, welfare and spiritual needs of Ambridge, Pa. Chris lives in Ambridge with her husband, Stephen. Together, they have 3 sons, Matthew an attorney with Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, Zachary, a senior at Grove City College and Patrick, a sophomore at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School. Top of page Lisa M. Polar, CEBS Director, Member Services and Development Pittsburgh Business Group on Health As the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health (PBGH) expanded to include more programs and initiatives, Executive Director M. Christine Whipple enlisted the help of one of the coalition’s employer representatives. In October 2006, Lisa M. Polar became director of member services and development for the PBGH. Previously, Lisa was manager of health and welfare benefits at Ketchum in Pittsburgh, one of the world’s leading public relations agencies. During her eight years at Ketchum, she earned a Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil for the employee benefit communications group and implemented an innovative health plan, which covered approximately 1,000 employees in eight major cities throughout the United States. As Ketchum’s representative to the PBGH, Lisa attended PBGH educational programs, presented at one of the annual symposia, and implemented cost-saving strategies into Ketchum’s benefits plan. Now, she brings her invaluable perspective as a former employer representative to the PBGH. Lisa has more than 15 years of experience in employee benefits with several regional businesses. Lisa began her benefits career at Williams and Company, Inc., a metals processing and distribution company, and worked with 401(k) retirement plans in client services at PNC Bank. A Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), Lisa is a current member of the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists and the Society of Human Resource Management. Lisa graduated from Grove City College in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and earned a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh in 1998. She is a current member of the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business Alumni Association Board. When she’s not working, Lisa stays involved with the community as a secretary of the St. Malachy School PTG in Coraopolis, Pa., where she also lives with her spouse, Rafael, and their three children, Andrew, Mark and Elena. Click here for a printable version of this document. Back to Press Kit Top of page Member Center | Initiatives | Calendar | About PBGH | Resource Center | Media | Home © 2004 - 2007 Pittsburgh Business Group on Health Pittsburgh Business Group on Health: Phone: 724-251-0230;