CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) in Ownings Mills named Crystal Calloway Mitchell, in main photo, as vice president of communications. According to an announcement, Mitchell will strategically lead and develop internal and external communications in this role, engaging both audiences to advance CareFirst’s mission and reinforce its impact and presence in the community. Her work will center on building strong relationships, highlighting CareFirst’s dedication to enhancing healthcare access and improving community well-being. “At CareFirst, addressing the social and economic factors that impact the health of our communities is central to our work, and effective communication is key to that effort,” Mack McGee, Chief Marketing Officer at CareFirst, said. “Crystal’s leadership will be instrumental in connecting with our partners and amplifying our commitment to our mission. We are excited for her expertise to help us drive meaningful change.”

Prior to CareFirst, Mitchell served as Senior Director of Enterprise Communications for Target, where she led a team executing strategic communications planning to advance stakeholder engagement, community impact and equity. Before that, she led global internal communications for Mars, Incorporated, overseeing communications channels, strategies and initiatives for more than 140,000 employees worldwide. She has also held communications roles at consulting firm Gagen MacDonald and within the Department of Defense.

Steven J. Schupak

Maryland Public Television (MPT) Executive Vice President and Station Manager Steven J. Schupak has been named to The Daily Record’s 2024 list of Influential Marylanders. Schupak was among 57 individuals honored by the publication during a September 18 celebration event at The Grand Lodge in Cockeysville. Honorees were chosen by editors at The Daily Record for their significant contributions to their respective fields and for their leadership in Maryland in the following areas: civic leadership, communications, education, finance, freestyle, general business, health care, law, philanthropy, real estate and technology. Schupak is among five leaders in the communications category selected for the honor.

Also receiving recognition from The Daily Record this year: Kathy Hostetter, WJZ-TV; Amanda Karfakis, Vitamin; Steve Kearney, KO Public Affairs; and David Warschawski, Warschawski.

Melanie LaRosa and Tom Baldwin

Imre made two key leadership appointments to its Client Experience (CX) practice. This comes as the brand engagement agency continues its aim at increasing agency-of-record assignments among healthcare and specialty pharmaceutical brands. Melanie LaRosa and Tom Baldwin have both been appointed as Senior Vice President of Client Experience.

“Melanie and Tom bring a wealth of experience, leadership and brand stewardship that aligns with our vision for the future of Client Experience at Imre. Melanie’s expertise across healthcare categories and her passion for transforming brand strategies will elevate our work, and Tom’s success in leading omnichannel strategies and launching breakthrough campaigns positions us to expand our footprint and deliver even more value to clients. Together, they will drive innovation and help Imre thrive in the evolving healthcare landscape,” said Scott Tucker, Chief Client Officer.

Paula Roberts Rome, a public relations business owner who selected the food court vendors to open Harborplace in 1980, died of pancreatic cancer at her Roland Park Place home, according to an obituary in The Baltimore Sun. She was 84. With partner Hillary Jacobs, she founded Aidus-Rome, later Paula Rome & Associates, a public relations firm that handled the American Craft Council, Ringling Brothers Circus and Disney on Ice.