Insurance moves: Cigna, Hilb Group, Alliant and Willis

A series of senior leadership moves has been announced across the insurance and health sectors, with The Cigna Group confirming a planned CEO transition and several major intermediaries and advisory firms adding experienced executives in key regional and specialty roles.

Cordani to step down as Cigna CEO; Evanko to take helm

The Cigna Group has announced that long‑time chief executive officer David Cordani will retire from the CEO role effective July 1, 2026, and become executive chair of the board. Brian Evanko (pictured), currently president and chief operating officer, will succeed him as CEO.

Evanko, who has held senior roles including president and CEO of Cigna Healthcare and chief financial officer of The Cigna Group, currently oversees the company’s portfolio across Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services. 

Cordani said Evanko is the right person to lead the group into its next chapter and that the current “status quo” in healthcare is unsustainable, arguing that the company’s strategic, operational and financial position makes this the right time for a leadership transition. 

Evanko, who has been with the company for nearly 30 years, said he plans to build on what he described as a strong foundation as Cigna seeks to further modernize healthcare, expand its reach and drive growth.

Meanwhile, The Cigna Group reaffirmed its financial outlook alongside the announcement, maintaining guidance for full-year 2026 consolidated adjusted income from operations of at least $30.25 per share. It also reiterated 2026 pretax adjusted income from operations of at least $6.9 billion for Evernorth and at least $4.5 billion for Cigna Healthcare.

Hilb Group has named Rob Nesselt as Southeast platform leader. In the newly defined regional leadership role, Nesselt will be responsible for driving strategic growth, retention and business development across the Southeast.

Nesselt joins from Risk Strategies, where he served as commercial lines leader for the Atlantic region with responsibility for sales, recruiting, market relationships, retention and organic growth. His earlier career includes senior roles at Marsh McLennan and McGriff Insurance, and producer and account executive positions at Brown & Brown.

Alliant Insurance Services has hired Dan Sisk as vice president within its employee benefits group, joining the Alliant Affinity team. He will focus on helping organizations design and execute strategic benefits programs aimed at measurable results.

Alliant Employee Benefits president Kevin Overbey said Sisk brings strong technical expertise, experience on the carrier side and a results‑oriented approach to client work. Based in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Sisk has experience in both business development and management and is known for aligning strategy with execution, according to the firm.

Prior to joining Alliant, Sisk was an account executive with one of the largest US insurance carriers. He holds a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from Bowdoin College.

Willis hires Droege to build digital assets and fintech offering

Willis, a WTW business, has brought in Garrett Droege to join its Financial Institutions & Professional Services (FIPS) team, in a move aimed at strengthening its position in the digital assets and fintech markets in North America.

The appointment follows the launch of Willis’ global Digital Assets Taskforce in 2024, the rollout of products such as Fintech Plus, and WTW’s acquisition of Newfront, which together have expanded the firm’s capability in the sector.

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Droege will focus on accelerating growth, sharpening Willis’ value proposition, advancing solution development and broadening thought leadership for fintech and digital asset clients as well as traditional financial institutions.

A former tech founder, Droege previously served as senior vice president and national digital risk practice leader at IMA Financial Group, where he launched and led its digital risk specialty, and held roles as head of innovation and co‑leader of IMA’s in‑house venture capital studio.