Marina Angelica Coryat is the Senior Manager of Community Affairs and Investments for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas’ Southeast Texas Region which spans from Victoria to Beaumont, including Bryan-College Station, Port Arthur, Huntsville, Temple, Galveston, and Houston. In this position, she strengthens brand reputation and presence in the region by engaging in specific community involvement activities, managing strategic corporate investments, and establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial media, governmental and key stakeholder relationships, as well as directing the employee volunteer programs.
Prior to her current position, Ms. Coryat took a leap of faith from her secure position at the City of Houston to venture into the private sector to work for the McDonald’s Owner-Operators of Greater Houston’s public relations (PR) agency. She coordinated PR activities including local promotion of nutritional product activations, national topspin programs, special events, and media collaborations.
Ms. Coryat is a 21-year veteran of the City of Houston, with 18 of those years in the Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD). As the SWMD Public Information Manager, she served as the chief spokesperson and managed information concerning department programs, storm disaster debris cleanup, special events, publications, press conferences, media interviews, website, social media, as well as mayor, city council, and open records requests. For over 10 years, Ms. Coryat produced/hosted the quarterly “Wasting No Time” HTV cable television program. Ms. Coryat also worked in the Mayor’s Citizens Assistance Office and the Housing and Community Development Department.
A graduate of Cornell University, this Ivy-leaguer is not content with resting on her laurels. In 2016, she completed Center for Houston’s Future Spring Forum, where she joined other leaders across the city as part of Houston’s Regional Think Tank. This was definitely complementary to her graduation from Leadership Houston’s Class XXIX in 2011.
As a representative for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Ms. Coryat oversees the various chamber relationships. Through this affiliation, she is a member of the Greater Houston Partnership, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce, the Asian Chamber of Commerce, Camara de Empresarios, the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Houston West Chamber of Commerce.
On her personal side, Ms. Coryat is a Lifetime Member of the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) and serves as a GHP Ambassador. She is also an active Board Member of the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL), where she chairs the Fund Development Committee. This active Urban Leaguer has agreed to serve as the Co-Chair for the HAUL’s 49th Annual Equal Opportunity Day Gala on June 17, 2017. Ms. Coryat’s desire is to see individuals grow to their fullest potential and reach their destiny. Due to this passion, Ms. Coryat was also recruited and is now on the Board of Directors with the United Way’s Career and Recovery Resources, Inc. Early 2016, Ms. Coryat became a “Big” to a “Little” with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, where she mentors an active and adorable nine year old boy.
In addition to being vigilant for the community, Ms. Coryat also is concerned about the overall health and welfare of individuals. She advises the T3 Health and Wellness Ministry, as well as serves on the Prayer Team at Windsor Village United Methodist Church.
Her most recent awards:
- d-mars.com Top 50 Black HMWP Award (2014 and 2015)
- Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation’s International Leadership Award 2014)
- Top Ambassador Award – Greater Houston Partnership (2015)
- Top Rookie of the Year – Greater Houston Partnership’s Ambassador program (2015)
- Lifetime Member – Greater Houston Partnership (2015)
- Corporate Brass in Who’s Who in Black Houston publication (2015 and 2016)
Ms. Coryat was born in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and moved to the United States with her parents at the age of one. She loves travelling, meeting people, and enjoys learning about various cultures.
Marina Angelica Coryat
Senior Manager, Community Affairs and Investments
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
1800 W. Loop South, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77027
marina_coryat@bcbstx.com
www.bcbstx.com
