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Interest in Covered California Was Personal for Deputy CIO

Brenda Bridges Cruz was initially interested in Covered California because of its mission to provide affordable health care to all. As a three-year survivor of breast cancer, she understands the importance of having good insurance. Since taking over last month as Covered California's deputy chief information officer for strategic initiatives, her goal is to help others with life-threatening illnesses to at least feel confident in their medical coverage, so they can focus on their health.

Brenda Bridges Cruz was initially interested in Covered California because of its mission to provide affordable health care to all. As a three-year survivor of breast cancer, she understands the importance of having good insurance.

Since taking over last month as Covered California's deputy chief information officer for strategic initiatives, her goal is to help others with a life-threatening illnesses to at least feel confident in their medical coverage so they can focus on their health.

“It is difficult enough going through treatment, and the last thing you want to worry about is whether you can afford treatment because of the costs,” Bridges Cruz told Techwire via email.

Before moving to Covered California, she was the assistant division chief in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System from 2011 to 2017.

With extensive experience in large-systems integration projects, she has been working in state government both as a consultant and a civil servant for the past 19 years.

Additionally, she was the class manager for Class 24 of the IT Leadership Academy, a nine-month program for state IT professionals that focuses on developing leadership skills. She will be a sponsor for Class 25.

As the deputy CIO for strategic initiatives, she oversees the Business Analysis and Project Management unit, Enterprise Applications unit, and Data Management and Analytics unit. A big task that she has taken on is building out an Enterprise Project Management Office that will manage and coordinate projects across the entire department.

Furthermore, Bridges Cruz has become heavily involved with the California Healthcare Eligibility, Enrollment and Retention (CalHEERS) project. She is helping to prepare for the next open enrollment period — the fifth since the department was instituted.

Bridges Cruz received her bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in psychology from Valdosta State University in Georgia. She attended one year at McGeorge School of Law and one year at Sacramento State University for her master’s in public policy and administration.

Note: A previous Techwire story incorrectly reported Bridges Cruz's first name.