2006 Women to Watch: Karen Rohan
Posted On: Oct. 8, 2006 12:00 AM CST
President
CIGNA Group Insurance
Philadelphia
Age: 43
Karen Rohan joined CIGNA in 1991 after holding management positions at Ernst & Whinney, now known as Ernst & Young L.L.P., and at Monarch Capital Corp. Ms. Rohan has advanced through numerous leadership roles at CIGNA, including serving as controller and senior vp of underwriting for CIGNA Healthcare. Named last year as president of CIGNA Group Insurance, she has executive management responsibility for CIGNA’s life and disability units. Ms. Rohan also is president of CIGNA Dental & Vision Care.
Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your career and why?
A: "I have what I call my personal board of directors. They are made up of business colleagues, friends and family. They have encouraged me to take risks and opportunities and to be passionate about what I do."
Q: What advice would you give young women entering the industry today?
A: "You should know the competition and be a student of the industry. You need to embrace risk and challenges because risk is an opportunity for growth and learning. Performance matters and you really need to drive for results."
Q: If you had the ability to change one thing about the industry what would it be?
A: "I would accelerate the advent of consumerism, which I’d define as the overall active engagement and empowerment of the individual."