Brian Evanko. Credit: Cigna
The board of Cigna has picked Brian Evanko, an actuary and longtime company executive, to take over from David Cordani as the company's chief executive officer July 1.
Cordani, who is Cigna's chairman as well as its CEO, will continue to be the company's chairman.
Cordani, 60, said in a comment that Cigna's finances and operations are strong, and that this is the right time to bring in a new leader to help guide the company through changing times.
"The status quo in health care today is unsustainable," Cordani said.
Evanko, who has been Cigna's president and chief operating officer since March 2025, says technology will help Cigna make health coverage better and more efficient.
"We use data analytics, modern technologies, to make care experiences that much simpler, that much more relevant, and that much more timely, such that personalized health care is available to each and every person who relies on us," Evanko said in a video conversation posted on Cigna's website.
What it means: Cigna may accelerate efforts to use artificial intelligence and other new technologies in an effort to cope with pressure to hold down costs and pay doctors, pharmacies and other care providers more.
David Cordani: Cordani started out as an auditor at Coopers & Lybrand and joined Cigna as an executive in its regional operations in 1991.
He became president and COO in 2008 and succeeded Edward Hanway as chairman and CEO in 2009.
He helped lead Cigna through the rise of the federal Affordable Care Act framework, which became law in 2010, and through the COVID-19 pandemic.
He oversaw the acquisition of the Express Scripts pharmacy benefit manager business in 2018 and the sale of Cigna's group life and disability business to New York Life in 2020.
The deals showed that Cigna was going all in on health insurance and health care services.
This year, Cordani and colleagues at other health insurers have faced brutal criticism over provider, patient and policymaker frustration with how the U.S. health care system works.
Cordani testified at a House hearing that the country must do more to prevent chronic illness, increase the level of competition in health care services, and do more to reward health care providers and drug manufacturers based on health care outcomes rather than the amount of care provided.
Brian Evanko: Evanko has a bachelor's degree in actuarial science from Penn State and is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
He started out at Cigna as an actuary at many different units, including Cigna HealthCare, then became president of the U.S. individual segment from August 2013 through July 2016, as the ACA public exchange system, which serves as an online supermarket for individual health insurance, came to life.
He president president of the U.S. individual and voluntary benefits business in 2016 and 2017.
He joined the board of TriNet, a professional employer organization, in 2024. TriNet provides what amounts to human resources and employee benefits outsourcing services for small and midsize employers.
Evanko also serves on the board of Back on My Feet, an organization that provides running-related support groups and support services for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
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