Cigna CEO David Cordani to Step Down July 1, Brian Evanko Named Successor

David Cordani will hand over the title of Cigna CEO to Brian Evanko on July 1, 2026. Cordani has served as CEO for 17 years. During that period, Cigna’s annual revenues grew from $18 billion to $275 billion and its customer base expanded from 40 million people to 180 million.

Cordani will remain at the company as executive chair with oversight of government relations. Brian Evanko is a 28-year Cigna veteran and the current chief operating officer. Cigna oversees almost 70,000 employees.

The December 2024 shooting of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, and the subsequent reaction to the event prompted Cigna to reassess its approach. Luigi Mangione is the suspect in Thompson’s murder. Cordani said the period required the company to “actively listen” to rebuild trust with customers.

Cigna launched the Commitments to Better plan in early 2025. The plan covers five areas, including affordability, transparency, and easier access to care. In its first year, Cigna cut prior authorization requirements for tests and procedures by 15% and made changes to reduce patients’ out-of-pocket expenses.

Cordani stated that Cigna’s profit margins hover around 4%. He said, “The facts belie the statement” that Cigna puts profits over patients. He added, “We don’t make more money by keeping people from having access to care.

Cordani has completed more than 125 marathons and triathlons. He described using pie charts to allocate his time across people, strategy, governance, operations, and field interaction over successive 100-day periods. Evanko recently announced that Cigna will leave the Affordable Care Act market for the 2027 plan year.

He said the business is small and has been shrinking for several years.