Essie M. Whitelaw

Biography

Ms. Whitelaw served as Senior Vice President of Operations of Wisconsin Physician Services, a provider of health insurance and benefit plan administration, from 2001 until her retirement in 2010, where she was responsible for managing more than 430 employees. Before that, Ms. Whitelaw served more than 15 years in various executive positions, including as President and Chief Operating Officer (1992 to 1997) and Vice President of National Business Development at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin, a comprehensive health and dental insurer. Among other things, while at Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ms. Whitelaw was responsible for managing insurance risk underwriting activities, regulatory compliance and the development and implementation of appropriate sales incentive programs. Prior to its merger into another public utility in 2000, Ms. Whitelaw served on the board and on the audit, nominating and retirement plan investment committees of WICOR Corporation, a Wisconsin energy utility.  

Research Interest

Ms. Whitelaw is active in the local Wisconsin community. She currently serves on the Milwaukee Public Museum board of directors, the Wisconsin Lutheran Foundation board, the Atonement Lutheran School board and the board of the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and lives of women and their families through education, outreach programs and partnerships. Ms. Whitelaw’s prior board service includes Goodwill Industries, United Way of Greater Milwaukee, Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Greater Milwaukee Committee and Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation.