Supplier Diversity Program

Industry leadership due to good business practices
Cigna has made a strong commitment to leveraging diversity in all aspects of our business, including the recruitment and retention of human resources, the multi-cultural marketing of our products and engagement of a diverse supplier base. A diverse supplier base helps Cigna achieve our mission to improve the health, well-being and security of the people we serve. Supplier diversity expands and enhances our corporate relationships and experiences, and contributes to our ability to better understand and serve our broad spectrum of customers. Our program is designed to engage the very best suppliers including those who share our commitment to integrity, quality, and efficiency and continue to support Cigna's purchasing needs. Supplier diversity is an integral part of that equation.

Why is supplier diversity important?
Cigna believes the success of minority- and women-owned businesses and other under-represented suppliers adds to our success and to that of the communities we serve. Minority- and women-owned businesses are often in neighborhoods that benefit greatly from the commerce and employment opportunities the businesses provide. By partnering with these suppliers, we can foster the growth of these businesses while ensuring the long-term growth of Cigna. They can provide the best combination of total cost, quality and service, which ultimately provides a healthy competition and level playing field for all potential and existing suppliers.

A strong commitment to supplier diversity
Cigna has a long history with Supplier Diversity with deep roots that date back to the 1970s. We are a corporate member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA). These organizations provide a direct link between corporate America and minority- and women-owned businesses and other diverse suppliers. It is our goal to continue to cultivate these alliances to ensure an equal opportunity for all companies who want to do business with Cigna.

The NMSDC, one of the country's leading business membership organizations, was chartered in 1972 to provide increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes. The NMSDC Network includes a National Office in New York and 39 regional councils across the country and three internationally. There are 3,500 corporate members throughout the network, including most of America's largest publicly-owned, privately-owned and foreign-owned companies, universities, hospitals and other buying institutions. The regional councils certify and match more than 15,000 minority owned businesses (Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American) with member corporations that want to purchase goods and services.

The WBENC network includes a National Office in Washington, DC and 14 regional councils across the country. There are 252 corporate members throughout the network, including most of America’s largest publicly and privately owned companies. The national and regional council certify and match 14,000 woman-owned businesses with member corporations that want to purchase goods and services.

The NGLCC includes a National office in Washington, DC and 45 US based chambers and nine internationally. There are 70 corporate members throughout the network including some of America's largest publicly and privately owned companies. The council represents the interests of an estimated 800,000 to 1.4 million Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender owned businesses and match with member corporations that want to purchase goods and services. The NGLCC is the largest LGBT business development and economic advocacy organization in the world.

Cigna regularly participates in supplier fairs sponsored by these and other minority and women's organizations. As tangible evidence of our growing dedication to Supplier Diversity, in 2007 Cigna purchased $39.3 million in goods and services from certified minority/women-owned business enterprises and other diverse suppliers across the United States.

 For more information regarding our Supplier Diversity Program, please contact us at supplierdiversity@Cigna.com. To become a member of the Supplier Diversity Program, please register through the Supplier Diversity Portal.