Patrick Aylward

Patrick Aylward is Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ). Mr. Aylward is responsible for ensuring the organization is focused on its highest priorities, promoting cross-divisional alignment and advancing Horizon BCBSNJ culture. He also leads the Enterprise Communications and Public Affairs division.

Mr. Aylward brings leadership experience from both the public and private sectors, ranging from the West Wing of the White House to American Express. His public service tenure culminated in his role as Special Assistant to the President and Director, Office of the White House Chief of Staff. In this capacity, Mr. Aylward’s responsibilities spanned the full breadth of strategic policy initiatives and daily operational challenges. Previously, at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Mr. Aylward managed the expansion of bioterrorism preparedness activities across the Federal government following the events of September 11, 2001, and served on the transition team that created the Department of Homeland Security.

Mr. Aylward held senior leadership roles at American Express, where he was Vice President and Chief of Staff for Human Resources, serving as a senior advisor to the Chief Human Resources Officer. Subsequently he held the role of Vice President, Global Benefits, setting strategic direction for award-winning offerings in health and wellness, retirement and financial wellbeing in over 40 global markets.

Mr. Aylward grew up in Linden, New Jersey, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Drew University. He earned a Master of Public Policy degree from Georgetown University. He serves on the Board of Directors of Isaiah House, a shelter focused on reducing homelessness, hunger and unemployment in Essex County.