Centene’s Chief Financial Officer, Drew Asher, has announced that he will step down at the end of the year and retire at the end of 2027. Lincoln Financial executive Chris Neczypor has been named his successor.
Neczypor is expected to join the organization this month and work alongside Asher, assuming the titles of executive vice president and chief financial officer on Jan. 1, 2027.
Asher will remain with the company until his retirement to support the company’s strategic initiatives and to ensure a transition that supports the company’s goals. Neczypor has experience across corporate finance, strategy, transformation, and capital management.
Neczypor was executive vice president and CFO at Lincoln Financial, a provider of life insurance, annuities, group benefits, and retirement offerings. He has also served as chief strategy officer and has held other roles in investments, strategic planning, and enterprise transformation since joining Lincoln in 2018.
“I’m excited to welcome Chris to Centene,” said Centene CEO Sarah M. London. “Chris brings a proven track record of strengthening financial performance, optimizing operations, and creating long-term shareholder value.”
“It’s an honor to join a company with such an extraordinary mission,” Neczypor said. “I look forward to serving as Centene’s next chief financial officer and working alongside Sarah and the leadership team to transform the health of communities across our country.”
Asher’s career includes over three decades of financial and healthcare industry leadership. Since assuming the role of CFO in 2021, Asher has helped guide the company through significant growth and change.
The company expanded from approximately $126 billion in revenue in 2021 to approximately $195 billion in 2025. Asher is proud of how Centene has handled through unprecedented change while remaining disciplined in execution and focused on long-term value.
“The foundation we’ve built and the outstanding team we’ve assembled give me confidence in Centene’s ability to transform healthcare and provide value for shareholders,” Asher added. “I look forward to working closely with Sarah and Chris through 2027 to support Centene’s continued progress.”
In its second-quarter earnings report at the end of July, Centene reaffirmed its previously issued full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance of greater than $4.80. The company reported better-than-expected Q2 results despite membership losses in Medicaid, one of the managed care company’s core lines of business.
With Neczypor on board, Centene is poised to continue its growth and transformation in the healthcare industry. Asher’s experience will be valuable in ensuring a seamless transition, as the company focuses on strategic initiatives and a smooth transition to support its goals.
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