Mark Garrett

Mark Garrett is the Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC). He is responsible for all human resources functions including talent acquisition and development, employee relations, total rewards, facilities and real estate, diversity and inclusion and community investments.

Mark has held senior leadership positions in operations and human resources at Smithfield Foods, Kansas City Public School District and Hallmark Cards. Prior to joining Blue KC, he served as the Chief Diversity and Engagement Officer at Smithfield, where he led talent acquisition, employee development, diversity and employee engagement.

Mark is dedicated to serving the Kansas City community. He is the board Chair of Phoenix Family Housing, an organization that empowers people living in low-income housing communities to gain stability and achieve self-sufficiency. Mark is also the board Chair-Elect for the Rose Brooks Center, an organization that works to break the cycle of domestic violence. He also serves as the Immediate Past Chair for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is on the Police Foundation of Kansas City board. Mark previously served on the boards of Feed the Children, Baptist News Global and Children’s International.

Mark has been recognized for his professional and civic leadership. Ingram’s magazine named him one of the “50 Missourians You Should Know” in 2016 and recognized him in the 2003 class of “40 Under Forty.”

Mark earned a master of business administration degree from Baker University and a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Kansas.

EDUCATION

• Master of Business Administration, Baker University
• Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, University of Kansas

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

MEMBER

• Chair, Phoenix Family Housing Board of Directors
• Chair-Elect, Rose Brooks Center Board of Directors
• Immediate Past Chair, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• Police Foundation of Kansas City Board of Directors
• YMCA Board of Directors

FORMER BOARD MEMBER

• Feed the Children
• Baptist News Global
• Children’s International