Melissa Barra

Most recently, Melissa Barra served as the Executive Vice President, Chief Product, Technology, and Enterprise Strategy Officer for Sleep Number. In this role, she oversaw company strategy, product research and development, technology infrastructure, sleep wellness technology, cybersecurity, and governance risk and compliance. Barra held multiple executive positions since joining Sleep Number in 2013, including leading sales, services, strategy, and consumer insights.

Prior to joining Sleep Number, Barra held a variety of senior leadership roles in Finance, Strategy and Corporate Development for Best Buy Co., Inc. She also held corporate finance and strategy leadership roles domestically and internationally at Grupo Futuro, Citibank, and GE Capital.  

Barra has an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

In addition to her role on the Blue Cross Board of Trustees, Barra serves on the Board of Directors of Pentair, where she is a member of the Audit Committee. Barra has served on the Board of Directors of the YWCA Minneapolis, and in 2022, was recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as one of the top Women in Business.

Committees: Finance Committee, Governance Committee (chair)