Engage: Promoting Employee Well-Being & Human Capital Optimization

According to the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, preventable chronic conditions are a major contributor to rising health insurance premiums and employee medical claims—both of which are at an all-time high. Consider too that four of the ten most costly health conditions for U.S. employers involve either heart disease or stroke, and that work-related stress is now increasingly viewed as a major occupational health risk. Well-structured health promotion and preventive health management programs offer the opportunity to reverse this dangerous trend and should be regarded as a strategic business priority for a more engaged and productive workforce. This opening discussion highlights how and why all mid-size and large employers should invest in workplace health promotion to contain rising costs and improve the bottom line. Learn how are leading employers engineering greater employee productivity and engagement and fostering a sustainable culture of health?

Panelists:
Nita S. Cumello, Director of Well-Being, Global Large Law, Thomson Reuters
Cheryl Larson, President & CEO, Midwest Business Group on Health
Adam Reiber, Director of Employee Well-Being, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Victoria M. Weldon, Director, Medicine and Occupational Health, ExxonMobil Corporation

Supporting the health of one’s employees is a noble endeavor, yet many employers privately concede that the dearth of tangible evidence, or ROI, to justify the cost of such significant investment(s) can hinder the impact of workplace health promotion and preventive health management programs. How does an organization validate cost savings that are effectively preventive and may never actually be realized? This engaging session takes a deep dive into analytical methodologies that undisputedly and concretely validate measurable cost savings and positive operational ROI.

Panelists:
Matthew Jackson, General Manager and Vice President, Unmind
Tonya Vyhlidal, Senior Regional Well-Being & Engagement Consultant, Gallagher

Leading organizations have long focused on the physical health of their employees regarding dangerous, high-risk conditions such as diabetes, COPD, or congestive heart failure. Yet, more recently—and thanks largely to the COVID-19 pandemic—many employers have also begun recognizing the vital role of mental health to an increasingly diverse and remote workforce. As attested by numerous high-profile public health studies, elevated cases of substance abuse, bodily harm, antisocial behavior, and even suicide underscore the profound, multigenerational impact that recent events have had on the global community. This earnest discussion highlights leading best practices and available resources for comprehensive employer mental health and substance abuse programs today.

Panelists:
Christopher Kim, Global Head of Employee Experience, Benefits & Wellness, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
Clark Lagemann, Chief Executive Officer, Avidon Health
Krista M. Larson, Director of Well-Being, Stinson LLP
Joseph Milowic III, Director of Well-Being and Founder, Lawyers Depression Project, Quinn Emanuel LLP 

Benjamin Franklin famously quipped that one “attract(s) more flies with a spoonful of honey, than…a gallon of vinegar.” This adage is especially fitting for workplace health promotion initiatives aimed at encouraging employees to make healthier lifestyle choices benefiting both the company, individual, and their loved ones. Truth be told, it is the employer and/or health insurer who ultimately bear the financial burden for employee health costs, and many savvy human resources or corporate people functions recognize the value of gamification or other popular wellness incentives to promote a healthier workforce and business. This discussion highlights best practices and key considerations when promoting or rewarding healthy behavioral change.

Panelists:
Louis Davis, Director of Health and Wellness, Graham Capital Management
Jill Johnson, Director of Wellness, General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

While cost shifting initiatives and high-deductible health plans offer some relief to rising healthcare costs and insurance premiums, many fully insured as well as self-funded employers still struggle to strike the balance between affordability and quality services for their employee populations. This engaging discussion closely examines innovations in preventive and value-based benefits plan design by showcasing best practices being leveraged today.

Panelists:

Benjamin Conley, Partner, Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Olga Reupert, Director of Operations, Employee Benefits, Alera Group
Charlie Zei, Executive Vice President Strategy & Partnerships, Bravo Wellness

Please join us in the Mies van der Rohe Room for drinks and conversation.