- Volunteering with youth sports programs as a basketball coach
- Hiking
- Community Cleanup
- Adventure Travel
Franca D’Agostino
Dillsburg,PA
Summary
Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in building relationships to facilitate and influence desired business outcomes as it relates to insurance regulation. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, National Regulatory Affairs
The Cigna Group
12.2017 - Current
- Provide direction and decision-making to the company on strategic Government Relations decisions.
- Present the organization and health policy positions to executive branch, legislative and regulatory bodies at state, levels of government.
- Collaborate with leaders and key stakeholders to understand strategic business initiatives and develop solutions that satisfy those needs.
- Widely recognized State Government Affairs expert and thought leader by both internal and external community.
- Lead state government affairs strategy on several NAIC and NCOIL initiatives, i.e. PBM whitepaper, MCAS reporting, multi-state filing initiatives, rate filings, exit strategy and DOI communications.
- Represent the Enterprise by advocating for our health policy principles on issues related to AI, Model Governance, Privacy.
- Lead enterprise Supervisory College and Annual Meetings
- Testifiy at NAIC and draft comment letters in multiple contexts.
- Manage and directs consulting contracts with Arbor Strategies and Poolman Consulting.
- Develop and validated policy positions and messaging with Public Policy team on issues related to: MHP, AI, Model Governance, Privacy, PBM regulation, NAIC/Prior Authorization, AI (Third-party vendors).
- Provide regulatory/environmental insights to business and state filing team on product development issues.
- Lead Regulatory Affairs engagement with PCMA on NAIC/NCOIL issues.
- Maintain key relationships with regulators, NAIC staff, and competitors to gather intel to inform on trends and external environment.
- Participate in panel discussions on issues related to compliance and market conduct through IRES.
- Participate in multiple internal public policy work groups
- Share expertise in broader environment through State Government Affairs Quarterly Meetings.
- Responsible for leading all health care and compliance related advocacy at the NAIC which requires a significant amount of cross-functional expertise and the ability to leverage a growing internal and external network to meet business objectives.
Director, Health Insurance Office
PA Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS)
09.2016 - 12.2017
- Manage all aspects of the Health Options Program which is a voluntary post-employment health insurance program covering 110,000 lives within two self-funded Medicare supplemental plans, an employer direct Medicare RX plan, a pre-65 medical plan, insured Medicare Advantage plans, and a dental plan.
- Determine the strategic direction of the agency as it relates to health insurance matters and serve as the primary adviser to the PSERS board of trustees on all health insurance issues.
- Maintain 0 premium increases for 2018 with minimal benefit changes by establishing new formulary policy.
- Increased percentage of aged 65 enrollees by 5% annually through enhanced communication methods
- Achieved a 4.5 star rating from CMS for our Part D plans.
Strategic Planner
Governor’s Office of the Budget
09.2015 - 09.2016
- Assisted in developing, implementing, executing and monitoring performance of strategic goals for key agency initiatives through facilitation activities, internal and external communications, and leveraging relationships
- Developed and executed strategic plans aligned with organizational goals.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive project success and alignment.
- Oversaw project timelines and deliverables, ensuring adherence to objectives.
- Developed strategic recommendations for resource allocation based on fiscal policy objectives.
Executive Director of CHIP and Strategic Initiatives
Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID)
12.2012 - 02.2015
- Managed the Children’s Health Insurance Program with a $474 Million combined federal and state budget and a staffing complement of 23
- Coordinated and implemented ACA initiatives requiring cross agency synchronization, while ensuring compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding CHIP and the ACA
- Negotiated rates down 6%, monitored compliance, and managed contracts with 9 major insurance carriers to provide CHIP benefits
- Effectively worked hand in hand with key advocates, the Governor’s office, and key legislators to address children’s health insurance issues including the reauthorization of CHIP and the elimination of the Go Bare period.
- Served as the department’s point of contact at the federal level for all federal health care reform related issues
- Continued to maintain relationships and represent Pennsylvania at the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s (NAIC) Health Insurance and Managed Care (B) Committee.
- Directed strategic initiatives to enhance regulatory compliance and operational efficiency across the department.
- Oversaw budget planning and allocation, ensuring effective resource management aligned with departmental goals.
Director, Special Projects
Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID)
05.2011 - 12.2012
- Lead the health care reform (HCR) initiatives within the department, focusing on health insurance exchanges.
- Managed federal HCR grants, programs, and contracts: Consumer assistance $1.4M , Rate Review $4M , Exchange planning $1M, and Establishment $34M, PA Fair Care $160M
- Coordinated health insurance exchange related issues across state agencies (DPW/DOH/OA, OT/DGS/OB), and federal agencies (CMS/HHS/CCIIO)
- Procured, monitored, and managed vendors and vendor contracts (Exchange, EHB, Stakeholder, CHIP)
- Represented Pennsylvania on, and coordinate activities for the NAIC Health Care Reform Regulatory Alternatives Working Group, the North East Zone meeting, and various other activities.
- Provided assistance to the Insurance Commissioner on Department long range planning and goal setting related to significant policy and operational initiatives.
- Directed and managed studies for the Insurance Commissioner with general or broad specification.
- Identified and evaluated problems in current program areas and recommend the appropriate course of action to the Commissioner.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance regulatory compliance and consumer protection in insurance practices.
- Directed cross-functional teams to streamline processes, improving operational efficiency within the department.
- Collaborated with legislative bodies to shape insurance laws, ensuring alignment with state objectives and consumer interests.
Management Policy Manager (February 2005), Management Policy Analyst II (March 2002) Management Policy Analyst I (June 1995), Management Policy Associate (April 1993)
Governor’s Office of Administration, Office of Strategic Services
04.1993 - 05.2011
- Provided management consulting services to any state agency under the governor’s jurisdiction through facilitation, the evaluation of management practices, the review and analysis of programs and their effectiveness, the refinement of operating processes and procedures, the development of strategic plans, and change management.
- Lead teams of analysts on intra and interagency projects utilizing sound project management methods to develop and carry out project plans.
- Worked independently on major projects of significant complexity and met aggressive timelines.
- Managed multiple complex, high level and highly sensitive projects at any given time with minimal supervision and that required decision making authority.
- Built and maintained a positive rapport with clients resulting in repeat business and being the most requested consultant on staff.
- Communicated effectively with multiple high-level executive and program management personnel to debrief and summarize sensitive project findings and deliverables.
- Evaluated sensitive management issues and facilitate sessions that have the potential of being confrontational.
- Implemented surveys, develop evaluations and measurement tools, conduct research, and guide efforts to assist in the implementation of change.
- Authored and presented reports and briefing papers to agency heads that contain findings and recommendations and that utilize analytical methods to generate conclusions.
Strategic Planning Facilitator – Owner
FMD & Associates
01.2006 - 01.2010
- Facilitate annual strategic planning sessions for Campbell Soup Company’s (CSC) Global Safety Leadership Team. Leadership is comprised of CSC executives worldwide, top operations, safety, HR, and risk management representatives. Sessions consist of pre session fact finding efforts, a three day facilitated session, a post session report deliverable that includes both a strategic and action plan.
- Researched, developed, and presented safety strategic planning module at CSC’s annual national safety conference.
- Lead strategic planning sessions for Pepperidge Farm, Arnots, and Sunoco.
- Facilitated workshops to enhance team collaboration and communication skills.
- Developed training materials aligned with organizational goals and participant needs.
- Guided discussions to identify challenges and promote strategic solutions among stakeholders.
- Analyzed feedback to improve future sessions and increase overall effectiveness.
- Built rapport with diverse groups of stakeholders by demonstrating empathy, active listening skills, and cultural competence during facilitated sessions.
Women's Self Defense Instructor
Co-owner
02.2015 - Current
- Developed and implemented self-defense curriculum tailored to diverse skill levels.
- Conducted hands-on training sessions in various self-defense techniques and strategies.
- Evaluated student performance, providing constructive feedback for continuous improvement.
- Organized community workshops to promote awareness of personal safety measures.
- Collaborated with local law enforcement to integrate real-world scenarios into training programs.
- Partnered with schools and community organizations to offer specialized workshops focused on empowering youth through self-defense education.
Education
Six Sigma - Lean and DFSS Certification
Six Sigma
Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) Degree -
University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg05.1996
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree - Business Administration - Marketing
University of Pennsylvania
Millersville05.1989
Skills
- Strategic Government Relations
- Health Policy & Regulatory Affairs
- AI, Data, and Privacy Governance
- Legislative Analysis & Policy Development
- Stakeholder Engagement & Executive Communication
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Public Policy Research & Messaging
- Contract Management & Consulting Oversight
Accomplishments
Widely recognized leader in government affairs, health policy, and regulatory advocacy, with a proven record of shaping enterprise strategy, driving cross-functional initiatives, and representing organizational interests at the national and state levels. Expertise spans AI and data governance, privacy, legislative analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Known for thought leadership, technical acumen, and the ability to influence policy environments through strategic relationships and advocacy.
Interests
Timeline
Director, National Regulatory Affairs
The Cigna Group
12.2017 - Current
Director, Health Insurance Office
PA Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS)
09.2016 - 12.2017
Strategic Planner
Governor’s Office of the Budget
09.2015 - 09.2016
Women's Self Defense Instructor
Co-owner
02.2015 - Current
Executive Director of CHIP and Strategic Initiatives
Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID)
12.2012 - 02.2015
Director, Special Projects
Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID)
05.2011 - 12.2012
Strategic Planning Facilitator – Owner
FMD & Associates
01.2006 - 01.2010
Management Policy Manager (February 2005), Management Policy Analyst II (March 2002) Management Policy Analyst I (June 1995), Management Policy Associate (April 1993)
Governor’s Office of Administration, Office of Strategic Services
04.1993 - 05.2011
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree - Business Administration - Marketing
University of Pennsylvania
Six Sigma - Lean and DFSS Certification
Six Sigma
Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) Degree -
University of Pennsylvania