Mike Triplett, president of the U.S. commercial business at Cigna Corporation, has always had a competitive spirit, the will to win, the drive to work hard to be the best, and a passion for community engagement.

“My values and purpose were influenced at an early age,” Triplett said. “I used the foundation established by my parents and the opportunities growing up in southeastern Connecticut as a catalyst toward engaging in personal and professional experiences that enabled me to make a difference.”

Today, Triplett is a successful and trusted member of Cigna's Enterprise Leadership Team. He is passionate about Cigna's mission and purpose, each and every day. He is also a leading voice and advocate in communities, especially those underserved and under-resourced, and nationally recognized for his inspiring corporate leadership.  

The Cigna Newsroom team is pleased to spotlight Mike Triplett.

The Passion To Win Began on the Gridiron

Anyone who knows Triplett understands his love for the game of football. His favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, owns a significant portion of a bookcase in his home office. He also has deep relationships within the National Football League and has helped bring current and former players to speak to community audiences and his Cigna teams over the years.      

Playing football in high school and later at South Carolina State University (SCSU) brought out Triplett’s passion to win. Football also taught him many important life lessons and values that resonated at the time and he continues to embrace today.  

“My football coach at SCSU taught me the importance of purpose, practice, teamwork, excellent execution, and continuous improvement,” he said. “I didn’t know at the time I would be getting into sales, but executing on that message, the Xs and Os of selling, I call it, has served as my formula for success in the business world.”

The Professional Journey From Technology to Health Care

While he dreamt of a NFL career in his youth, Triplett realized in college that professional football wasn’t to be in his future. He said he “buckled down on the books” and strengthened his interest in business and the stock market. 

After graduation, Triplett landed his first job at what he still views as the right fit to launch his professional career – IBM. Ultimately, Triplett spent 14 years in roles of increasing responsibility at IBM. “I made the right choice to join the IBM team,” Triplett said. “It was an organization deeply rooted in winning (losing wasn’t an option), and the operational culture combined discipline, diversity and inclusiveness, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence.”

Triplett never really considered leaving IBM until 1998, when he was invited to pursue a role with Cigna.

Throughout the ensuing years with the global health company, Triplett has built a reputation internally and externally as a leader who wants to win, the right way; who cares deeply about the stakeholders Cigna does business with; and who believes strongly in attracting, developing, retaining, and inspiring a diverse and talented team of professionals who share a common purpose and passion. 

Today, Triplett leads a team that serves employers and other group benefit plan sponsors and partners throughout the United States. Through our U.S. Commercial business, Cigna currently serves more than 14 million medical and more than 16 million dental customers and a diverse set of public sector and private employers. U.S. Commercial also includes the team focused on delivering greater affordability through network contracting.

Influencing Healthier and More Productive Communities

As competitive as Triplett is in his professional responsibilities, he is equally caring and compassionate when it comes to community engagement. “Success can sometimes make people forget that not everyone is as fortunate as you are,” Triplett said, “and recognizing that is important in both life and in business.”

Using his time, influence, and relationships, Triplett has these top three areas of focus, especially in underserved and under-resourced communities. Those focuses are on eliminating health disparities and achieving true health equity for all populations; partnering with small minority- and women-owned businesses to help them accelerate their growth and full potential; and continuously improving health and well-being outcomes – both physical and mental health – through quality, innovative, and affordable solutions. He is active on the National Corporate Council for the National Forum for Black Public Administrators and has worked with organizations including the University of Memphis Athletic Foundation, the Miami Foundation for New Education Initiatives, the American Red Cross, and the National Civil Rights Museum, to name a few.

Never Forget That People Drive Performance

Before we closed out our conversation, Triplett wanted to reinforce that business success is not an individual sport. It is a team competition that requires the best and most diverse talent working together – people who come to the table with different experiences, solutions, and skillsets. 

“In my business, I want every employee to feel a sense of belonging, and to be empowered to reach their fullest potential,” he said.

Personal and professional relationships are also embedded into Triplett’s DNA. “I've always been an advocate to embrace people, regardless of who they are and where they are,” he said.

He also recognizes that people come to work, at Cigna and elsewhere, with different professional goals and ambitions. For those who seek to grow into managerial, leadership, and executive roles, Triplett encourages engagement with a sponsor. He describes this as someone who is not only a guide, but also someone who, when moving around in an organization, will pull you along with them. 

Looking Ahead

Triplett wants to continue to help his team win in the highly competitive and dynamic health care environment. He remains passionate about Cigna's value and potential.  And he knows he can count on his teams to execute.   

“Like my football coaches who shaped my life, I want to set the game plan for our teams,” he said. “But then I want to step aside and let our teams execute. And as they win, consistently for Cigna and their own personal and professional development, I want to be there to celebrate these victories with them.  Winning becomes contagious, and when you know you are helping improve health, well-being, and peace of mind, the frequency of successes becomes even more important.”