Leveraging a Career of Strategic Transformation - Paul Sanford
In my 30+ years as an executive in the healthcare and operations sectors, I have had the privilege of leading and driving transformative change across some of the most complex business landscapes. My journey has shaped not only my professional skill set but also my perspective on how to achieve meaningful results during critical turning points. Today, I can apply this experience as I advise Private Equity (PE) firms, helping them navigate the intricacies of growth and transformation with a strategic, value-creation approach.
My background as Executive Vice President of Operations at The Cigna Group taught me the importance of leveraging diverse expertise to achieve a unifying goal. I founded and led the Enterprise Shared Services Organization, streamlined operational efficiencies, and successfully integrated Cigna with Express Scripts in a $60 billion merger, which solidified Cigna’s position as a diversified health services leader. These experiences were not merely about executing change — they were about understanding the human and operational dimensions that drive the creation of value.
What differentiates my approach today is my ability to be an “unconscious shape-shifter.” I seamlessly adjust my perspective from high-level strategy to intricate operational execution and then back out again to “course correct” the value creation roadmap. My corporate background allows me to adapt my skills and expertise to fit the unique challenges that PE firms and their portfolio companies face. Whether they are scaling operations, optimizing technology platforms, or positioning for growth, I bring a flexible, tailored approach to each situation, shaped by years of navigating high-stakes transformations in the corporate world.
I recognize that every organization, no matter how similar in structure, has its own set of dynamics, growth hurdles, and inflection points. It’s my unique perspective from decades in leadership that allows me to see these situations through multiple lenses. I help companies identify the most critical leverage points, anticipate potential disruptions, and set them on a path for long-term success.
Advising PE firms has provided me with a platform to bring forward the insights and skills developed over my career, but with a new lens. I work closely with leadership teams, helping them align on strategic growth priorities and technology-enabled operational effectiveness. This opportunity to transfer my corporate expertise to the PE landscape has reinforced the value of having a diverse toolkit — one built over years of navigating significant mergers, building resilient operational cultures, and guiding teams through technological transformations.
For me, it’s about fostering environments where strategic clarity, agility, and innovation converge. The ability to guide portfolio companies with confidence and insight while drawing on a proven track record of achieving results has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It is an opportunity to serve as a trusted advisor and partner, helping organizations at critical turning points unlock their potential.
As I continue to expand my role in advising PE firms, I remain committed to using my experience to create incremental value, both strategically and operationally. I look forward to leveraging my background in shaping successful growth trajectories as I pursue advisory and board roles in the Private Equity space and beyond, where I can contribute to larger, transformative initiatives.
Paul is an experienced healthcare executive and advisor specializing in governance, operational strategy, and transformation. He has led large-scale initiatives with a focus on guiding leadership teams and boards toward long-term strategic decisions. Paul has reshaped operations to build agile, future-ready systems while advancing talent development and governance. Passionate about resilient growth, he is committed to helping organizations navigate change and drive sustainable impact.
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn.
