Brian D. Pieninck Biography

Brian D. Pieninck

Brian D. Pieninck is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, a leading multi-line, not-for-profit healthcare company offering a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products through its affiliates and subsidiaries and administrative services. As President and CEO, Brian embodies CareFirst’s mission while leading over 8,000 individuals dedicated to transforming the healthcare system to be more equitable, affordable and accessible to the 3.5 million individuals and employers across Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. 

Brian joined CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in April 2015 as Executive Vice President of the Large Group Strategic Business Unit. He assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer in May 2017 with responsibility for the organization's four Strategic Business Units and Technology & Operational Support Services. In May of 2018, Brian was unanimously selected by the CareFirst Boards to become President and CEO, beginning his leadership of the company on July 1, 2018.

Prior to joining CareFirst, Brian was a member of Aetna Inc.'s executive team, where he held key leadership positions during a 19-year tenure, including Director of Professional Employer Organizations, President of Southeast National Accounts, and President of the Americas for Aetna International.

Brian is proud to champion an array of health, economic and social interests. He is the Board Chair of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Board of Directors, Chairman of the Board for the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH). Additionally, he is an active member of several boards, including Federal Employee Program Board of Managers, Greater Baltimore Committee, Baltimore’s Promise, BCS Financial Corporation, Greater Washington Partnership, Synergie Medication Collective, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the United Way of the National Capital Area, and a member of the Morgan State University Board of Regents.

In 2022, Brian was named to the Health Committee of Governor-Elect Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Aruna Miller’s transition team. He was also named a co-chair of the 2023 and 2024 CIAA Tournament, the nation's oldest historically Black collegiate athletic conference that in 2022 had a positive economic impact of nearly $20 million in Baltimore City. Brian’s community involvement centers on equitably advancing opportunities at the intersection of health and economic wellbeing throughout the mid-Atlantic region, a personal investment of time and expertise that closely aligns with CareFirst’s mission.

Brian holds a B.S. in Business Studies Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and is a graduate of Leadership Maryland's Class of 2016. A native of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Brian and his family currently reside in Baltimore County, Maryland.