CVS Health's Karen Lynch is one of the five most powerful CEOs in the world, beating out the likes of Warren Buffet and Alphabet chief Sundar Pichai, according to a new ranking.
CEOWorld Magazine released its annual list of the world's 100 most influential CEOs and executives this month. Another payer executive ranks in the top 10 as well: UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty, who lands at No. 7.
Lynch is one of just 18 women to make the top 100 and is joined by some of her peers in the healthcare industry, including Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Rosalind Brewer (No. 26), Elevance Health CEO Gail Boudreaux (No. 29) and Centene chief Sarah London (No. 38). Lynch is also the only woman across all industries to crack the top 20 executives ranked, according to CEOWorld.
The magazine's team analyzed data on nearly 3,000 CEOs and executives to measure their performance for the ranking, examining their respective companies' financial performance over the length of their tenure as well as the companies' track records on social, governance and environmental issues.
"The best CEO in the long haul turned out to be one who frequently underperformed in the short term—while continuing to make big bets on the future," according to the ranking. "The CEOs who made the 2023 list have undeniably been effective and influential."
Cigna Group CEO David Cordani earned the No. 17 spot on the list and is the only other healthcare industry executive in the top 20. Bruce Broussard, CEO of Humana, ranked at No. 59.
Michael Tipsicord, CEO of State Farm Insurance, placed 62nd and Thomas Wilson, CEO of Allstate, placed 93rd. Both are AHIP members, the group said in an announcement congratulating the leaders who made the list. Craig DeSanto, CEO of New York Life Insurance, and Mario Greco, group CEO for Zurich Insurance Group, were also mentioned outside the top 100 executives.
“Every American deserves access to affordable, high-quality health coverage, and health insurance providers are delivering for them. This honor spotlights the strong leadership and tireless efforts health insurance providers have taken to find new and innovative ways to improve the health and financial stability of Americans,” said Matt Eyles, CEO of AHIP, in the statement.