As the Downtown Detroit Partnership’s Executive Committee Chair and Board of Directors Vice Chair, Dan has been instrumental in guiding the DDP and supporting our efforts to create an inclusive, thriving, and vibrant Downtown. As he prepares to retire from a stellar career as president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, this award is one way the legacy of Dan’s commitment to our city lives on.
Please see the following release for more information on Dan and the award.
*press release source: Detroit Grand Prix
DETROIT GRAND PRIX ANNOUNCES DANIEL J. LOEPP COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD
Longtime Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan President and CEO Honored as First Recipient of Annual Award
DETROIT, Mich. (June 4, 2024) – This past Friday night during the 2024 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear event weekend, Grand Prix officials presented the inaugural Daniel J. Loepp Community Champion Award, recognizing excellence in leadership and community service. The award is named after Loepp, who has served as president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for nearly 20 years and will be retiring at the end of the year. He was honored as the first recipient of the prestigious award on May 31 during the annual PwC Grand Prixmiere presented by Chevrolet charity gala held at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit.
The Daniel J. Loepp Community Champion Award celebrates and recognizes individuals who have helped advance social change through philanthropic community engagement, teamwork and partnerships in the City of Detroit. The eponymous award honors the legacy of Dan Loepp, who has made an indelible impact in the community through his humanitarian efforts and vision for the city’s future. Loepp’s lifelong commitment to Detroit and its surrounding communities has forged a path for civic leaders to make a difference in Southeast Michigan.
“The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear has always been focused on giving back to Detroit and the communities across the city. Through our longtime partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we know that Dan Loepp embodies that same commitment and vision,” said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Detroit Grand Prix. “We created the Daniel J. Loepp Community Champion Award to recognize the inspiring work of local heroes like Dan. His legacy truly defines what it means to be a community champion, and we are honored to recognize Dan as the inaugural recipient of this special award.”
Under Loepp’s leadership, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) boasts a rich history of community involvement through its historic Social Mission. BCBSM supports various public health initiatives that inspire positive and substantive change to improve the health of all Michiganders. As part of BCBSM’s commitment to communities, the company partners with nonprofit organizations, safety net clinics offering free and low-cost care, as well as opportunities to strengthen core cities and neighborhoods across Michigan – including Detroit’s East Warren-Cadieux neighborhood where Loepp purchased his first home.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has also been a strong supporter of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear since the event returned to Detroit in 2007. When the Grand Prix transitioned to its original home on the streets of downtown Detroit in 2023, BCBSM became the exclusive sponsor of the unique two-sided pit lane – the first of its kind in motorsports. The company also helps highlight the annual event through outdoor advertising and the creation of artistic murals displayed on the towers of the GM Renaissance Center in the days leading up to and during race weekend.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be named the inaugural recipient of the Daniel J. Loepp Community Champion Award,” said Loepp. “This recognition is a great honor of my career. It represents the spirit of teamwork and partnership throughout Detroit, something I’ve been passionate about since my childhood days on the east side of the city. I am very grateful to Roger Penske, Bud Denker and Michael Montri for their expertise and continued support for Detroit and our great state.”
Loepp was presented with the inaugural Community Champion Award last Friday at the elegant summer event that is an annual celebration to help wave the green flag on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. Strengthening its connection with neighborhoods across Detroit, the PwC Grand Prixmiere presented by Chevrolet has helped raise more than $7 million for local charities. Through Grand Prixmiere sponsorships, as well as unique auction packages and experiential opportunities, funds were raised to benefit the Belle Isle Conservancy, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Detroit Public Safety Foundation, Detroit 300 Conservancy and the Pope Francis Center in Detroit. More than 600 guests attended the PwC Grand Prixmiere fundraising gala chaired by Marissa West, General Motors Senior Vice President and President, North America, and her husband Bob.
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ABOUT THE DETROIT GRAND PRIX
The Detroit Grand Prix is a 501(c)3 organization and a subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Held May 31-June 2, 2024 on the Streets of Downtown Detroit, the Grand Prix included the Chevrolet INDYCAR Grand Prix featuring the cars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the sports cars of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the rising stars of racing competing in INDY NXT by Firestone. For more information, visit www.DetroitGP.com and follow our social media pages at www.facebook.com/detroitgp, www.twitter.com/detroitgp, and www.instagram.com/detroitgp
