Rosemond S. Owens is a mother, wife, storyteller, activist, seasoned Racial & Health Equity practitioner. She currently serves as the Director of Racial and Heath Equity at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Her interests include improving diversity and improving equity for populations experiencing inequities. A public health/health equity practitioner by training, she understands the struggles of underserved and priority populations. As part of her role, she is responsible for leading Blue Cross’ enterprise-wide focus on building health equity into its mission and business practices. She holds primary accountability for catalyzing and supporting work across the enterprise to implement the health equity strategic plan.
Rosemond was born in Ghana, West Africa, loves her native country, and prides herself on being a true Pan-African at heart. She has made her home in Minnesota for the past few decades with her husband, Isaac, and three daughters. Rosemond has lived on three continents, and brings a broad, transnational perspective to her life. A graduate of the University of Ghana, Rosemond holds undergraduate degrees in French and Spanish and Linguistics. In 2007, she received her MPH in Public Health from University of Minnesota School of Public Health with emphasis on Maternal and Child Health and Health Equity. She has served on the boards of several organizations including Books for Africa, Create CommUNITY, and Maternal Child Health Task Force. Rosemond is a Paul Harris Fellow, recognized in 2015 for her contributions to literacy in Africa and to ending the book famine in Africa. In 2016, Mayor of St. Cloud Dave Kleis declared Rosemond Owens Day, honoring Rosemond for her contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the community.
She is a gifted speaker, a humorist, and sees a silver lining in every cloud. She calls herself a Chief Encouragement Officer, CEO because she believes that is why God created her. She is the author of Apples In A Seed, “Apples In A Seed - Unleashing The Unique You”. Her book was born using the apple seed as a metaphor for potential. In it, she looks at the lives of 9 change agents and through their lives demonstrates how the power of determination, grit, hard work, and perseverance can help to unleash one's potential.