Cigna and Business Roundtable Host Workforce Mental Health Summit
Business Roundtable and The Cigna Group convened senior executives and community leaders last week in the Bay Area for a Workforce Mental Health Summit. The event was part of the Business Roundtable Mental Health Initiative—a CEO-driven campaign to advance employee mental wellness—spearheaded by David Cordani, Chairman and CEO of The Cigna Group.
Kicking off the summit, Cordani emphasized that mental health is not just a healthcare concern but a critical business issue that directly influences workplace performance and company culture.
“Mental health is a business imperative that affects every company, every team, and every individual,” Cordani said. “At The Cigna Group, we believe employers have both the opportunity and the responsibility to lead in fostering a culture of support and access to care. This summit went beyond discussion—it drove corporate action at every level.”
The gathering brought together leaders from diverse sectors to share insights and strategies, reinforcing the need for businesses to take an active role in supporting employee mental well-being.
In a featured discussion with Diane Brady, Executive Editorial Director at Fortune, Dane Linn, Senior Vice President of Corporate Initiatives at Business Roundtable, highlighted the real-world challenges employers face when trying to address mental health in the workplace. He also pointed to innovative solutions that companies are adopting to better meet the needs of today’s workforce.
“CEOs are increasingly recognizing that employee mental wellness is central to a productive, healthy workforce,” Linn explained. “Across industries, companies are embedding mental health into everything—from benefits offerings to how they shape workplace culture. Sharing these insights helps us scale impactful solutions more broadly.”
A special guest at the summit was Olympic gymnast and mental health advocate Simone Biles, who spoke candidly about her personal journey navigating pressure, expectations, and the importance of seeking help. Her story underscored the message that vulnerability is strength and that prioritizing mental health should be normalized in all areas of life, including high-performance environments like elite sports and the workplace.
The summit took place against a stark backdrop of national statistics: nearly one in four U.S. adults lives with a mental illness. In 2021, over 76% of American workers reported experiencing at least one symptom of a mental health condition. The effects go beyond personal well-being—they also impact business productivity. A 2022 analysis found that missed work due to depression alone costs the U.S. economy approximately $47.6 billion annually in lost productivity.
These numbers underscore the urgent need for business leaders to act—not just for their employees’ sake, but for the health and sustainability of their organizations and the economy as a whole.
The Business Roundtable Mental Health Initiative aims to turn awareness into action. It encourages member CEOs to develop practical approaches to mental wellness by integrating support into workplace systems, benefits programs, and leadership development. The initiative also fosters knowledge-sharing between companies, helping scale what works across industries.
Through platforms like this summit, The Cigna Group and Business Roundtable continue to champion the importance of mental health in the workplace. By convening influential leaders and sharing proven strategies, they’re laying the groundwork for long-term, meaningful change that supports employees, strengthens businesses, and benefits communities.
About The Cigna Group
The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI) is a global health company dedicated to improving the vitality and health of individuals and communities. The company partners across healthcare ecosystems to deliver innovative and personalized solutions. Its operations include brands such as Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services.
With a presence in over 30 countries and jurisdictions and more than 189 million customer relationships worldwide, The Cigna Group is committed to building a healthier future through access, innovation, and proactive care.
