Heather Carter, EdD

Heather Carter is the Medicaid Segment General Manager and CEO of Health Choice Arizona. She has an extensive background in healthcare policy, education, and community leadership. Before joining Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, she was Senior Vice Chancellor at Maricopa Community Colleges, overseeing workforce, economic, government, and community initiatives. Previously, she was Executive Vice President of Greater Phoenix Leadership, where she worked on healthcare, education, and workforce policies, including Prop 308 and the Arizona Education Game Plan.

Carter served eight years in the Arizona House of Representatives and one term in the State Senate, where she chaired or vice-chaired the health committee. She was instrumental in Medicaid expansion (2013) and KidsCare restoration (2016). Her leadership extended to roles such as Associate Director of the Arizona Center for Rural Health, Assistant Professor at the UA College of Public Health, and Assistant Dean of Health and Education Policy at ASU’s Edson College of Nursing & Health Innovation.

She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration.