Cristina A. Garcia-Thomas

Chief external affairs officer, Advocate Aurora Health

Garcia-Thomas brings to our board of directors significant leadership experience, particularly in the areas of customer and community relations, and diversity and inclusion. Since joining Advocate Aurora Health — the largest employer in the Milwaukee region — in 2011, she has successfully addressed complex business issues in a highly regulated environment. In her current role as chief external affairs officer, Garcia-Thomas is responsible for shaping the overall experience for patients, employees and community partners. She oversees diversity and inclusion, community relations, community health, community programs, and the charitable foundation, through which she utilizes and expands her deep understanding of public policy, social priorities and challenges, and corporate governance. Through her executive and civic leadership, Garcia-Thomas has established a strong network in our company’s Wisconsin and Illinois service areas, giving her keen insights into the needs of our customers. She contributes her experience in these areas to her service on the Corporate Governance Committee, and to the board’s oversight responsibilities and strategic discussions on sustainable value creation, customer care and human capital management. In addition, given her significant professional experience responding to the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Garcia-Thomas has aided the board in its oversight of management’s response to this continuing risk.