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Michael Caro: Supporting Quality Connections Through His Work, Mentorship, and Community Service

Associate Spotlight August 15, 2023

Michael Caro, Technical Program Director

For Michael Caro, being an Elevance Health associate feels like being part of an extended family. In his role as a technical program director, he oversees IT Services Management, ensuring quality technical service to associates and consumers. But he takes his support for the company even further — he is a dedicated volunteer, an engaged leader, and a trusted mentor to fellow associates.
 

How does your role advance Elevance Health’s purpose to improve the health of humanity?

I help make sure that our associates and our customers are able to use our business software applications and I help reduce the amount and duration of outages.
 

Which of our company values (leadership, agility, community, diversity, integrity) is most meaningful to you?

While all of these values are important, as a military veteran, integrity has been at the core of my personal and work ethic my entire life. I feel that integrity is the foundation of all relationships, since you have to trust those people you are interacting with.
 

How do you demonstrate values in your work?

If you ask anyone that works with me, they will tell you that I am forthright and transparent in all my interactions. I am a member of and active in all of our nine business resource groups (BRGs). I was selected as the leader for the VETS (Veterans) BRG, an honor that I was not expecting, but happy to receive. I also participate as a mentor for many BRGs, as well as our corporate Toastmasters club.
 

What is your best workplace advice for associates?

Join a BRG. Any associate can be part of any of our nine BRGs. Find one or more to join, and be active in them and in company activities. You will get so much more out of your time here if you engage and interact with other associates.
 

What is the most rewarding part of working at Elevance Health?

Working for a company that does so much for the community is a big reward for me. I love the encouragement of and support for volunteering with organizations such as the American Heart Association and March of Dimes, and I’ve had the opportunity to visit our local veterans hospital, bringing donuts and serving as an open enrollment ambassador.
 

How would you describe the culture at Elevance Health?

Thriving. I feel that being part of this organization is like being part of an extended family. The various interactions among people have been very rewarding and demonstrates that we are all in this together. From collaboration among the leaders in our BRGs, conversations that advance a positive company culture, and onsite activities that encourage networking and building meaningful connections with each other — everything I see happening within the company gives me a sense that Elevance Health is heading in the right direction. We are focused on caring for our associates and customers in a very meaningful way.

Do you have any volunteer or community service roles?

I am a leader in my local masonic lodge and currently serve as secretary. I have been called a “serial volunteer” by the local American Heart Association team and am one of the few that has done all three annual events in a row — The Heartwalk, The Go Red for Women Luncheon, and The Heartball — achieving the “trifecta” by their executive director. I love to help at events and meet new people while doing good things.

What activities do you do in your free time and how do they contribute to your health?

Leatherworking, video games, medieval live action roleplaying games/combat. I have been doing medieval combat games for over 25 years, which involves simulated combat with safe foam weapons in a game-like environment. We usually dress up in costume, assume the role of various characters, and then walk around a state park performing improvised combat theater. The events are usually a full weekend, and I walk between 20-25 miles over the course of three days.

Share some fun facts about you.

I am a Navy veteran and learned Spanish while stationed in Panama. I have a master’s degree in education, focusing on instructional design. I do website and graphics work as a hobby.

I also love to tell dad jokes every chance I get: Why did the rhino never carry cash? Because he liked to charge everything.

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