IBI/Conference Board Health and Productivity Forum

07:30 AM - 08:15 AM ET

Continental Breakfast

Hosted by Catapult Health

08:15 AM - 09:00 AM ET

What's Next? How Employers Are Resetting Benefits Strategy for the Post-pandemic Workforce

We're at a crucial crossroads in the benefits industry. Three years of uncertainty and competing challenges in the workforce due to the pandemic are behind us. Where do we go from here? With downward financial pressures, attraction and retention challenges, DEI considerations and barriers to care which have only been exacerbated in the past few years, how do we prioritize, redefine and reset our benefits strategy? We'll have an open frank discussion with HR leadership to discuss what's next.

Tammy Fennessy, Director of Benefits, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

Ryan Green, Benefits Manager - Time Away & Leaves, Meta Platforms Inc.

Kelly McDevitt, President, Integrated Benefits Institute

Richard McDonald, Head, Global Benefits, The Coca-Cola Company

09:00 AM - 09:45 AM ET

Embracing the Contradiction: How Cost Cutting and Investing in Employees Can Coexist at Your Organization

Health care cost trend is on the rise during a time when the health and wellbeing of employees is more important than ever. And the combination of low affordability of care for a growing portion of employees and the challenge of attracting and retaining workers makes employers hesitate to pass cost increases on to employees. Hear from a panel of leading-edge employers who have reconciled the seemingly contradictory priorities of reigning in health care spend while investing in their employees through value-led strategies.

Janet Faircloth, Senior Vice President of Health Innovation, Aon

Janet Lucas-Taylor, Senior Director of Employee Benefits, Northwestern Mutual

Kathy Bernhardt, VP, Benefits and HR Operations, Macy's, Inc.

Melanie Fowler, Benefits Program Senior Strategist, Clayton Homes, Inc.

Tracy Wittman, Total Rewards, HR and Board Strategic Leader, KinderCare

09:55 AM - 10:35 AM ET

GLP-1s: The Role Medications Should Play in Your Obesity Solution

Obesity deeply impacts your employee’s lives and meaningfully hits your company’s bottom line, often to the tune of over $7,000 per employee per year. In this session, a F100 leader shares how their organization took an integrated and comprehensive approach to treat obesity as a chronic health condition through medication management and behavior change.

Kevin Knight, Chief Marketing Officer, Vida Health

Tara Sherman, Mental Health & Well Being Strategy Leader, The Boeing Company

Gretchen Zimmermann, VP of Clinical Strategy, Vida Health

09:55 AM - 10:35 AM ET

Beyond Cost Savings: Why Fertility Benefits Support Wellbeing and Improve Productivity

Fertility-related challenges can be stressful for employees and, as a result, negatively impact their work performance. From researching costs to attending appointments, fertility journeys can bring a myriad of distractions, so it’s not surprising that 74% of employees pursuing family formation admit to researching their options during the workday. While providing financial support can alleviate costs and stress, it’s not www.conference-board.org/annual-forum everything. Care navigation, education, and telehealth are all critical in simplifying these journeys for employees and ultimately creating a healthier, more focused workplace. In this session, we’ll discuss the complexities of fertility health and share how inclusive, comprehensive support can promote wellbeing and improve productivity.

Vincent Colombi, Senior Strategic Account Executive, Carrot Fertility

Linda Lim, Senior Manager, People Operations, Greenhouse

Monica Bae, Global Mobility Specialist, Greenhouse

09:55 AM - 10:35 AM ET

Addressing the Cancer Problem: How Forward-Thinking Employers are Advancing the Fight Against Cancer

Most employees today have access to just 5 single-cancer screenings. That means 70% of cancer deaths are caused by cancers with no recommended screening available. While the physical effects of cancer are clear – 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will face cancer diagnoses in their lifetime – the disease also impacts an employee’s mental and financial health: cancer is the #1 ranked medical fear for Americans, and 51% of cancer patients incur medical debt as a result of their diagnosis. In this session, hear from employer(s) tackling that challenge head-on by engaging employees in breakthrough muti-cancer early detection as part of their effort to tackle the cancer problem head-on.

Ailene Bui, Sr. Director, Head of Employer and Labor Partnerships, GRAIL, Inc.

Denice Stull, North American Benefits Manager, Micron Technology

09:55 AM - 10:35 AM ET

Beyond Boundaries. Empowering Employees with Virtual Specialty Care

Navigating the complexities of the health care system is confusing, costly, and time-consuming - leaving most employees unsure of what to do or where to go for care. The best virtual specialty care solutions provide employees with physician-led clinical guidance across any health condition or journey creating a seamless health care experience. Education and guidance from specialists empowers employees to be active owners in their health care and provides a clear path forward in their care. Join this session to learn how virtual specialty care transformed access to leading medical expertise for Trupanion's geographically dispersed and diverse employees and their families, alleviating confusion and improving health and financial outcomes.

Nick Razzi, Chief Sales Officer, SUMMUS

Alex Thornhill, Benefits Manager, Trupanion

10:35 AM - 11:05 AM ET

Refreshment Break

Hosted by: MetLife

11:05 AM - 11:45 AM ET

Uncertain Times: Improving Employee Mental Health Support in Today's Workforce

In recent years, our work landscape has undergone profound changes. As employees navigate remote or hybrid work settings while balancing their professional and personal lives amid global events, the need to prioritize mental health has become increasingly evident. So, in today’s modern workplace, how do employers step up? In this panel, leaders discuss how to support employee mental health to create more collaborative, productive workplaces with happier, healthier employees. Informed by insights from Headspace’s Workforce Attitudes Toward Mental Health report, experts will delve into today's mental health challenges for both employees and employers, as well as the steps leaders can take to make measurable improvements. Attend and gain insights into:

• Current workplace mental health trends and employees' expectations regarding mental health support from their leaders and employers
• Strategies for HR and benefits leaders to support their own mental well-being while equipping employees with the necessary tools
• Approaches for measuring ROI and assessing the impact of investments in employee mental health

Karan Singh, COO & CPO, Headspace

Megan Delp, Director, Workplace Mental Health, NAMI

Faith Primacio, Director, Global Benefits, Cision Ltd.

11:05 AM - 11:45 AM ET

Using Gender-Inclusive Benefits to Unlock Engagement, Productivity & Equity

Menopause. Prostate health. Period pains. HIV. Your employees are suffering from silent, often taboo, health concerns - and it's drastically impacting your company's productivity and engagement rates. In fact, almost 80% of companies acknowledge that productivity improvement was an important reason for investing in employee well-being overall. Attend this session and learn:       

• How health and wellness affect employee productivity, absenteeism and presenteeism
• How traditional health care lets both employees and employers down
• Tangible actions employers can take to support their employees dealing with typically underserved areas of health
• How to open conversations about "awkward" topics in the workplace

11:05 AM - 11:45 AM ET

Increasing Access, Cutting Costs & Improving Outcomes with Digital MSK Care

Underserved communities have a harder time accessing high-quality health care and face worse health outcomes on average than white patients. Health disparities like these are highly entrenched, but not impossible to fix. Join this session and learn how the combination of innovative technology, customized treatment that recognizes individual lifestyles and challenges - when combined with good data and clinical practice - can drive better results for all, including historically vulnerable populations.

Ashley Bass, DPT, Clinical Specialist, Sword Health

Crystal Clark, Sr Program Manager, Benefits, American Cancer Society

11:05 AM - 11:45 AM ET

Empty Desk Syndrome: Mitigating Effects of Absence and Burnout

COVID-19 turned many of the U.S. workplaces in to ghost towns three years ago. And while some employers are now struggling with "quiet quitting," research shows that most workers are happy, although burnout remains a concern. This is prompting employers to continue some of the practices that arose from the pandemic such as flexible schedules and hybrid work. The benefits of in-person work connections are integral to an employee's overall wellbeing. While employees are showing up, are they really engaged? Attend this session and learn about best practices from absence management experts in supporting the well-being of employees in the 21st Century workforce.

Alli Gmach, Director - Total Absence Management, UnitedHealth Group

Adam Seidner, Chief Medical Officer, The Hardford

Jackie Reinberg, Senior Vice President – Consultant, American Benefits Consulting LLC

01:00 PM - 01:40 PM ET

Debunking Myths about Digital Health Care

The digital health care market has exploded, and digital health care options are everywhere. But concerns and misconceptions still exist. This session will explore and debunk common myths about digital health care, in general, and how MSK conditions are particularly well-addressed by digital solutions that help your employees move beyond pain. You’ll hear employers talk about what was important to them when looking at digital health care, how they were able to see results and prove ROI, how their employees are engaging with their digital solution and wow implementation and integration barriers were overcome.

Dr. Raymond Hwang, Senior Medical Director, Hinge Health

Brandy Parker, Director, Health and Welfare Benefits, Travel + Leisure, Co.

Melissa Rinker, Director, Benefits, Allstate

01:55 PM - 02:35 PM ET

How Employers Are Closing Health Equity Gaps in Diabetes and Obesity

With chronic disease disproportionately affecting racial and ethnic minorities, employers need new ways to close health equity gaps. Preliminary data shows novel virtual care models have the potential to close gaps among minorities and populations in the most deprived communities. Join this session for a real world look at the data and case studies from leading employers.

Richard Mayes, Managing Director Health and Wellness, United Airlines

Tracy Lugo, Vice President, Benefits Administration, Truist

Frank Dumont, MD, FACP, Medical Director, Virta Health

01:55 PM - 02:35 PM ET

Taking a Benefits-First Approach for a Thriving Workplace

As organizations recognize the significance of employee wellbeing in driving optimal performance, it is essential to invest in benefits strategies that foster a healthy workforce. Experienced HR and benefits professionals will share practical insights on using health care navigation as part of a comprehensive benefits program that not only boosts recruitment efforts but also cultivates a thriving and engaged workforce.

Mike Chilen, Director Global Benefits, Mary Kay

Veronica Knuth, Chief People Officer, Quantum Health

01:55 PM - 02:35 PM ET

COVID-19: Past, Present and Future: How We Took Hard Lessons and Made Great Strides Forward

This panel will share with the audience a health ecosystem Pfizer and business partners have developed to ensure COVID-19 patients are receiving the most expeditious and clinical based care possible. COVID-19, the disease, has a high affinity to disproportionately impact the older population, minority population, those with diabetes and weight related issues. Using this approach will help ensure those with various health disparities or inequities are on a level playing field with others who may need COVID-19 support.

Jill Wetterquist, Vice President – National Accounts, Walgreens

Steve First, VP, Global Benefits, Pfizer

01:55 PM - 02:35 PM ET

Meeting Employees Where They're At: Designing Leave Programs Leveraging Speed of Trust

There's no denying that the landscape of leave is changing drastically and will continue to evolve. Rapidly expanding leave laws, an increased need to address mental health, burnout, the Great Resignation, meaningful work-life balance...the list goes on. As HR professionals, we are tasked with creating benefit packages that not only address all of these moments, they must also be easily administered, not add to the employee burden, and not break the bank. So where and how do we start? Join this session and learn how employers have broken the traditional leave molds through the creation, implementation, and marketing of leaves and processes that recognize the diverse needs of their workforces.

Susan Lobb Ramirez, Senior Benefits Advisor, The Cigna Group

Melanie Payton, Senior Director, Practice Leader – Absence Consulting, Brown & Brown, Strategic Non-Medical Solutions

Ali Schaafsma, Senior Absence Consultant, Brown & Brown, Strategic Non-Medical Solutions

02:35 PM - 03:15 PM ET

Refreshment Break

Hosted by MetLife

03:15 PM - 03:55 PM ET

Understanding Mental Health Disorders Impact on Workplace Productivity and Strategies for Employers

During this session, learn the impact that COVID-19 had in the space of psychiatry and on ways to identify major depressive disorder (MDD) with a disease state overview and the economic impact it has on employee absenteeism/presenteeism as well as national treatment guideline recommendations for treatment of MDD. You'll hear an employer's experience with using their integrated data warehouse to provide an in-depth analysis of mental health's impact on disability and productivity, procedures to identify undiagnosed mental health conditions driving medical cost and disability trend and racial disparity in the utilization of mental health clinical resources.

Dr. Andrew Crighton, Vice President of Global Health and Medical/Chief Medical Officer, Prudential Financial

Karen Nguyen, National Medical Outcomes Science Liaison, AbbVie

Matthew Fritts, Well-Being Specialist, University of Virgina

Mary Sherman, Faculty & Employee Assistance Program, University of Virgina

03:15 PM - 03:55 PM ET

In Conversation: How a Benefits Leader Sorted Through the Crowded Field of Virtual Care

Health benefit leaders today have to balance many competing priorities, including tailoring a benefits strategy to meet their population's needs while also seeking maximum value amidst rising costs. To account for this, many benefits leaders turn to fractured solutions with multiple partners. In fact, 50% of organizations manage between four and nine digital health vendors at a time. The result has been growing point solution fatigue. Join this session to hear about a high-profile benefits leader's journey supporting multiple cardiometabolic conditions with the same partner.

Melissa Bennett, National Vice President, Commercial, Omada Health

Griffin Reynolds, Wellbeing Program Manager, Koch Global Services

03:15 PM - 03:55 PM ET

Simplifying Compliance Through Digital Employee Health Technology

When it comes to employee health and compliance, organizations leverage many disparate systems unequipped to handle the constant change in health care. Join this panel discussion where one of the largest and most complex health care organizations, Advocate Health, discusses the monumental shift in empowering their employees to drive employee health compliance, coupled with AI technology. Amongst the many areas of focus for the organization, includes immunization tracking and reporting, streamlining flu campaigns, annual fit testing, and many other health initiatives - all leading to productivity gains.

Jeremy Elias, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, TrackMy

Sarah Gilmore, BSN, RN, Manager, Midwest Region Teammate Health, Advocate Health

Brian Konowalchuk, Medical Director & Executive Director, Midwest Region Teammate Health, Advocate Health

03:15 PM - 03:55 PM ET

Beating Burnout in Challenging Times: Secrets to Winning at Employee Engagement with Global Workforces

As workforces grapple with layoffs, return to office, and economic uncertainty, one thing is certain: employees are not ok and while their holistic health remains firmly on the agenda for HR leaders, creating a wellbeing culture that measurably engages modern workforces is elusive. So how can organizations make progress on moving the needle while managing rising healthcare costs and where should leaders devote their efforts? Join this interactive fireside chat to learn how one of the world’s most innovative companies is supporting its diverse and global workforce and what it means to win at employee engagement.

Lorna Borenstein, CEO & Founder, Grokker

Steve First, VP, Global Benefits, Pfizer

04:10 PM - 04:50 PM ET

How to Support a Diverse & Inclusive Workplace with Family-Building Benefits

Inclusive family-building benefits have become a clear way to support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Yet, while offering family-building and reproductive benefits has increased over the last few years, the opportunity to expand upon the promise of this coverage still exists. To build a genuine culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, organizations must expand the benefits they offer, but address the needs of individuals who have been overlooked in the past. This means providing culturally competent care that considers the needs of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, single parents, and those pursuing a family outside of a heterosexual, cisgender couple. By taking these steps, organizations can foster a sense of belonging and equity. During the panel discussion, you will learn how to:        

• Make authentic DE&I a strategic priority and part of your family-building benefits
• Identify gaps in family-building and reproductive benefits
• Ensure partners provide culturally competent options

  Jessica Concha, Sr Manager - Benefits, The Knot Worldwide

  Liz Pittinger, Head of Customer Success, Stork Club

04:50 PM - 06:00 PM ET

Cocktail Reception

Hosted by: bSwift

07:30 AM - 08:15 AM ET

Continental Breakfast

Hosted by: Catapult Health

08:30 AM - 09:10 AM ET

Breaking Down Barriers: A Better Approach to Mental Health

Discover how goop worked to address mental health concerns and employee burnout. Learn how goop worked to elevate the conversation about mental health and reduce stigma by prioritizing and increasing access to care and cultivating well-being offerings.

Ariela Safira, Founder & CEO, Real

Djenaba Parker, General Counsel & Chief People, Goop

09:20 AM - 10:00 AM ET

How Meta Returned to Work and Why Integrated Data Helped

At Meta, providing robust leave of absence and disability programs for parents, families and communities is part of their DNA. Meta has been providing paid leave programs for over 10 years and have designed a dedicated team that helps employees plan for leave, stay connected during leave and provide safe return to work. Learn how Meta's integrated data helps them identify where team members are accessing behavioral health care prior to a leave and during.

Grace Hunt, National Account Executive, Lincoln Financial Group

Shauna Bryngelson, National LAD - Absence, Innovation, and Growth Leader, Mercer

Ryan Green, Benefits Manager - Time Away & Leaves, Meta Platforms Inc.

09:20 AM - 10:00 AM ET

Employers in Action: Reshaping Health Benefits to Address Real-World Issues and Trends

Employers have never spent more for health care - both for medical and pharmacy benefits. They also have never been held more accountable (CAA and fiduciary) by the government. Between new legislation, the continued need for fair pricing and price transparency and ongoing waste and low-value care, it is imperative that employers focus on fresh ideas. This panel will explore the key challenges employer face, provide strategies for moving forward and offer insight on key health benefit priorities from employers across the country.

Frank Janecek, Senior Director, Benefits, Fortune Brands

Tara Sherman, Mental Health & Well Being Strategy Leader, The Boeing Company

Cheryl Larson, President & CEO, Midwest Business Group on Health

Pamela Hannon, Retirement & Healthcare Leader, GE Healthcare

09:20 AM - 10:00 AM ET

How McDonald's is Unlocking Doors to Care for a Diverse Workforce

The health care ecosystem can feel like a large concourse with endless hallways and doors of options to care - with many of them locked. Join this discussion about the value in reducing fragmentation and why providing all employees with a master key is essential to improving health outcomes and reducing waste.

Brian Madine, Director, Global Benefits & Mobility, McDonald’s Corporation

Quentin Blanton, Communities, Enterprise RVP, Included Health

10:10 AM - 10:50 AM ET

Health Equity and Innovation: Real Steps You Can Take to Show Up for Your Employees

Tammy Fennessy, Director of Benefits at American Eagle Outfitters, will lead the discussion around innovative ways to support employees, promote health equity at your organization and help manage overall plan costs and outcomes.

Tammy Fennessy, Director of Benefits, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

Laura Shinohara, Director, Absence, Disability Management and Life, WTW

10:10 AM - 10:50 AM ET

Let's Talk About COE's: What's the Secret to Driving Impact for Members?

Centers of Excellence (COEs) are one of the very few options employers have had to improve quality, experience and affordability (cost savings). Due to a lack of utilization, COEs have historically failed to deliver on their promise. Join us to learn how State Farm has provided its members with access to excellent surgical care while lowing spend by more than 2%.

Darcy Sementi, Manager, Total Rewards Benefit, State Farm

Dickon Waterfield, President, Employer Direct Healthcare

Erin Tatar, SVP Consultant Relations, Employer Direct Healthcare

10:50 AM - 11:20 AM ET

Refreshment Break

Hosted by: MetLife

11:20 AM - 12:00 PM ET

Employer Driven Health Equity Strategies for Today's Diverse Workforce

Including health equity as a key focus of your workforce health and business/people strategies can help you attract and retain a diverse workforce - one with higher rates of engagement, lower health care costs, and better health outcomes. While social determinants of health are one essential component to address health equity within your workforce, there are other factors that can and should comprise a multidimensional health equity strategy for your organization. We will look at how these influential employers are leveraging different functions across their enterprises, working creatively to construct and implement purposeful strategies in all areas of their organization, in addition to serving as thoughtleaders and change agents in their broader communities.

Ben Kemper, Senior Human Resources Manager, County of Los Angeles

David Hwang, Director of Workforce Health, Kaiser Permanente

11:20 AM - 12:00 PM ET

Analyzing the Growing Chronic Medical Conditions Among Millennials

Health Action Council and UnitedHealth Group released a new whitepaper, Millennials and Their Children: Significant Health Findings, which compared health care usage and drivers, from medical risks and behavioral health to parenting and financial impacts. During this session, you will learn what health trends impact Millennials and their children, the greatest areas of disease burden, insights into what life circumstances are propelling Millennials to utilize the health care system, and how refocusing resources can improve employee engagement.

Patty Starr, President & CEO, Health Action Council

Craig Kurtzweil, Chief Analytics Officer, UnitedHealthcare

11:20 AM - 12:00 PM ET

Employers in Action: Reshaping Health Benefits to Address Real-World Issues and Trends

Employers have never spent more for health care - both for medical and pharmacy benefits. They also have never been held more accountable (CAA and fiduciary) by the government. Between new legislation, the continued need for fair pricing and price transparency and ongoing waste and low-value care, it is imperative that employers focus on fresh ideas. This panel will explore the key challenges employer face, provide strategies for moving forward and offer insight on key health benefit priorities from employers across the country.

Frank Janecek, Senior Director, Benefits, Fortune Brands

Tara Sherman, Mental Health & Well Being Strategy Leader, The Boeing Company

Pam Hannon, Global Retirement & Healthcare Leader, GE HealthCare

Cheryl Larson, President & CEO, Midwest Business Group on Health

12:10 PM - 12:25 PM ET

Conference Wrap-Up & Prizes

Recapping key conference topics and themes, this wrap-up session will bring major conference takeaways to life, providing you with a summary of all key-takeaways and the chance to win prizes.