Cigna Corp. (CI) has announced the appointment of Brian Evanko as its next chief executive officer, succeeding David Cordani after his 27-year tenure. The shift comes as health insurers face heightened regulatory and public scrutiny.
- Brian Evanko succeeds David Cordani as CEO of Cigna (CI) after Cordani’s 27-year tenure
- Cigna reported $81 billion in revenue and $3.9 billion in net income in 2025
- Evanko previously served as president and COO, with deep integration into Cigna’s operations
- Cigna’s health services division posted an operating margin of 18.4% in 2025
- Cigna remains a top holding in the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV)
- The transition occurs amid growing scrutiny of health insurers’ pricing and administrative practices
Cigna Corp. (CI) has officially appointed Brian Evanko, a long-time company executive, as its new CEO, effective immediately following David Cordani’s departure after 27 years at the helm. Cordani, who led Cigna since 1999, oversaw a period of significant expansion, including the $105 billion acquisition of Express Scripts in 2018, which reshaped the company’s pharmacy benefits management (PBM) footprint. Evanko, currently serving as president and chief operating officer, will now assume full leadership of the Fortune 500 health insurer, which reported over $81 billion in revenue in 2025 and serves more than 110 million members across the U.S. and international markets. The leadership transition marks a pivotal moment for Cigna as the healthcare sector faces intensified scrutiny over pricing, network access, and administrative costs. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) like Cigna, which represent a major segment of the industry, are under pressure to demonstrate transparency and value. In 2025, Cigna reported a net income of $3.9 billion, up 11% from the prior year, though operating margins in its health services division declined slightly to 18.4% amid rising medical cost trends. The move is expected to influence investor sentiment, particularly for healthcare ETFs such as the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV), which includes Cigna as a top-weighted holding. With institutional ownership of CI exceeding 72%, and a trailing P/E ratio of 14.8, the transition may prompt a reassessment of long-term growth assumptions, especially given Cigna’s focus on digital health and integrated care models under Evanko’s stewardship. Analysts are monitoring whether the new CEO will prioritize cost discipline, member satisfaction, or strategic M&A in the evolving regulatory landscape. The shift underscores broader trends in the healthcare industry, where succession planning is increasingly critical as the average CEO tenure in major insurers extends beyond 12 years. Cigna’s board cited Evanko’s deep operational experience and alignment with the company’s mission of improving health outcomes as key reasons for his selection.