Strategic Leadership in Action: Chris Pippin on Building High-Performance Marketing Teams

What a pleasure it was to sit down with Chris Pippin—Director of Marketing Operations at Cambia Health Solutions. With thoughtful insight and years of excellent work under his belt, Chirs pulls back the curtain on what it takes to lead with impact in a complex, ever-changing industry. With over 20 years of experience turning strategy into execution, Chris brings a practical, people-focused perspective on leadership that’s both inspiring and actionable.

Currently heading a team of 14 marketing professionals across multiple offices, Chris has built a reputation for translating ambitious sales goals into clear, effective marketing strategies. At Cambia, a leading healthcare solutions provider operating across multiple states, Chris ensures that marketing efforts are tightly aligned with sales objectives. His team is responsible for creating campaigns, presentations, and content that touch more than 1,500 clients and 500,000 end users annually.

On the podcast, Chris shared how aligning team goals with broader organizational strategy is essential to sustained success. “You don’t just set targets—you build the system, the team, and the culture that can consistently meet them,” he said. He emphasized the importance of not only hiring talented people, but also cultivating a collaborative environment where diverse skills and ideas can thrive.

Chris’s leadership style is rooted in trust, transparency, and adaptability. He spoke about how the COVID-19 pandemic challenged his team to pivot quickly, creating new virtual meeting resources and shifting communication strategies overnight. His ability to respond with clarity and purpose helped Cambia maintain strong client engagement during a time of rapid change.

Chris’s leadership style is grounded in empowerment, trust, and active listening. He believes in hiring talented people and giving them the autonomy to deliver results—while his real job is to support their growth and development. Chris also places a high value on listening—to both internal stakeholders and external clients. By tuning into the needs and feedback of those around him, he ensures that his team’s work is not only strategically aligned, but also meaningful and relevant. This people-first approach has helped him build a high-performance culture where innovation, accountability, and collaboration thrive.

Beyond his achievements in marketing operations, Chris represents Cambia at the national B2B Marketing Collaborative, a collective of marketers from BlueCross BlueShield plans across the country. His insights and contributions have helped shape how healthcare marketing evolves in an increasingly digital, value-driven landscape.

For emerging leaders and seasoned executives alike, Chris’s episode is a compelling look at how thoughtful leadership, strategic alignment, and a strong team culture can produce real results. His journey on Hiring For Good reminds us that great leaders don’t just hit targets—they build teams that grow, innovate, and win together.

Chris’ Bio

Chris Pippin serves as Director of Marketing Operations at Cambia Health Solutions, where he leads a diverse team responsible for driving excellence and efficiency across the Marketing Department. His team manages critical functions including proposal development, value proposition, product marketing, marketing technology, and budget oversight, in alignment with sales goals and corporate objectives.

During his 15-year tenure at Cambia, Chris has built and led high-performing teams that consistently deliver results, driving significant membership growth while fostering a culture of excellence and retention.  He has also represented Cambia in key industry forums, including marketing committees at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

 Prior to joining Cambia, Chris worked in real estate sales and development. He holds an Economics degree from Stanford University. Outside of work, Chris enjoys golf, outdoor activities, and spending time with his wife Kathy and their three children.