For Immediate Release: October 22, 2021
For more information contact:
Kelly Cannon
Kelly.Cannon@BlueKC.com
O: 816-395-3711
M: 816-686-3842
KANSAS CITY, MO. (October 22, 2021)—Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) is proud to announce Blake Straatmann, a Robotic Process Automation Analyst II for Blue KC, has been recognized as a member of Ingram’s 20 in Their Twenties Class of 2021.
This annual award, now in its 14th year, recognizes the achievements and promise of the area’s young entrepreneurs, as well as those who demonstrate entrepreneurial qualities and thinking on behalf of their employers.
Straatmann, who completed an internship with Blue KC during college, accepted a full-time position with the company in January 2018. While at Blue KC, Straatmann has demonstrated his pioneering drive by collaborating on innovative solutions to numerous business challenges.
In his current role as Robotic Process Automation Analyst II, Straatmann works with internal partners to translate complex business processes into automated solutions that ultimately lead to increased quality and efficiencies while reducing costs. Year to date, Straatmann’s efforts have led to over $77,000 in savings for Blue KC.
Additionally, Straatmann is the founding member and lead for the Community Partnerships and Engagement Committee of the Employee Resource Group for Young Professionals at Blue KC. Led by Straatmann, the committee has planned and executed numerous initiatives, including a Black History Month event in February 2021, and a recent mental health awareness event in collaboration with the Blue KC behavioral health team for Youth Volunteer Corps of Kansas City.
“We appreciate Blake’s dedication to process improvement and innovation in his role at Blue KC. His commitment to our colleagues and involvement in the community are what Blue KC is all about,” said Erin Stucky, President and CEO at Blue KC. “We’re proud of Blake’s accomplishments and look forward to all he will achieve throughout his career.”
As Chairman of the Young Professionals Board for Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer, Straatmann leads fundraising efforts that have yielded more than $100,000 in donations since 2018. He also volunteers at Operation Breakthrough’s after-school programs and with Harvesters – The Community Food Network.
“It’s important to me that I not only make a difference in my professional life but to bring real change to my community as well,” noted Straatmann. “Blue KC has been a terrific place to begin my career, affording me opportunities to make a difference. I’m grateful to Ingram’s for this prestigious recognition.”
To learn more about Blue KC’s commitment to honoring achievements that support the community, please visit BlueKC.com/consumer/blue-kc/about.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, the largest not-for-profit health insurer in Missouri and the only not-for-profit commercial health insurer in Kansas City, has been part of the Kansas City community since 1938. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City provides health coverage services to more than one million residents in the greater Kansas City area, including Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas and 30 counties in Northwest Missouri. Our mission: to provide affordable access to healthcare and to improve the health of our members. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information on the company, visit its website at BlueKC.com.