Kathy Higgins received a Bachelor of Science in Education and Psychology from West Virginia Wesleyan College, then continued her education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and received a Master of Exercise Physiology and Community Health Education. She is currently the Vice President of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation and has held this position since 2000. Prior to this role she also served as the Senior Director of Community Relations for BCBSNC. Higgins has experience in positions of corporate philanthropy, citizenship and private foundation leadership, health policy, nonprofit development, communications and marketing. Higgins has lent her time and expertise to nearly 30 organizations including YWCA Academy of Women, Be Active North Carolina, Healthy Start Foundation, Jimmy V Foundation and Wake County United Way. In the spring of 2008, Higgins also trekked across North Carolina, while pregnant with twins, to promote physical activity and to motivate fellow North Carolinians to become more active.