Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Chief of Staff, Manika Turnbull, Ph.D., named to Diversity MBA Magazine's Top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executives & Emerging Leaders

CHICAGO, Sept. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Diversity MBA Magazine, supports business diversity by advancing understanding, validating best practices and rewarding leadership, and this year our very own Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Chief of Staff, Manika Turnbull, Ph.D., occupies one of the 100 coveted spots in the magazine's list of the Top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executive Leaders of 2013. 

"I am so pleased that Diversity MBA Magazine is recognizing Manika Turnbull for her leadership role in and out of the workplace," says BCBSIL Chief Diversity Officer Rita Taylor-Nash.  "Manika has stepped up as a powerhouse of ideas and enthusiasm in our company and in the community, where she volunteers and serves as a role model for young men and women."

Turnbull has been part of the company for over seven years.  Before being assigned as Chief of Staff, she was BCBSIL's Strategic Human Resources Business Partner and prior to that she served as Operations Manager in the Service Delivery Operations (SDO) division. 

In her role as Chief of Staff, Turnbull is responsible for directing overall planning, administration, assisting with the budget and reporting functions for the Illinois Division.

Manika earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and a Masters in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois, where she also serves as adjunct faculty for the Business Psychology department.  Turnbull earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where she also played Division I Women's Basketball. 

Diversity MBA Magazine featured their honorees in their summer 2013 issue and will be hosting an Awards Gala to celebrate them on September 19th & 20th at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel, Chicago, IL.

Diversity MBA works with Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs and non-profit agencies to compile a highly selective list from all industries.

"Our Top 100 under 50 Diverse Executive & Emerging Leaders is recognized highly for their outstanding leadership within their companies and communities. We are pleased and humbled to celebrate these seasoned executives and their achievements. We value the importance of recognizing such leaders who appreciate aligning higher education and leadership," says Pam McElvane, CEO & Publisher of Diversity MBA Magazine.

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois