We’re excited to welcome Program Officer Lisa Bearg to the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health team. Lisa will lead our Community pillar, partnering with mayors, municipalities, and organizations to initiate partnerships and programs that strengthen health across Idaho.

Get to know Lisa — her Idaho roots, philanthropic perspective, and what inspires her about this work — in this short Q&A.

What are your ties to the State of Idaho?

I’m a 5th-generation Idahoan, with family that initially settled in Gooding. What keeps me here isn’t just history, it’s the sense of possibility. Communities still come together here, and I feel lucky to be a part of that spirit.

You’ve worked in the philanthropy space for 10 years. What drew you to nonprofits and what do you value most about the work?

I’m a people-lover and a problem-solver, and philanthropy puts me at the intersection of people, ideas, and resources that spark conversations about solutions. This work is less about giving money and more about crafting the right connections and partnerships that produce magical outcomes in communities.

What are you most excited about in your new role?

I’m most excited to listen, learn, and elevate local voices of the community leaders who know their cities best. Mayors, local leaders, and residents already have the insights; my role is to bring resources, perspective, and support so their ideas can turn into real, lasting change.

Tell us something fun about yourself.

I’m a lifelong baseball fan (Go Cubs!) and love exploring the country through ballparks. I’ve visited 22 of the 30 Major League Baseball fields, and I’m on a mission to hit them all.

What is your walk-up song?

It’s Tricky by Run DMC — because effective philanthropy, like baseball, is never as simple as it seems.