Newton Cheng went on mental health leave on Jan 18, 2022. Despite working in the field of health & wellbeing for 20+ years, being a world champion competitive athlete, and having access to world class experts and robust mental health support services, he still burned out.
In this keynote he will share the story of his journey to burnout and back, and what he’s learned about how we’re hampering innovation by not practicing vulnerable leadership… so many of us leaders get it wrong when we do try to demonstrate vulnerability, and how we can practice it effectively via a skills-based approach.
True leadership requires risk taking and failure. However, our culture tells us to “fake it until we make it” and to “never let them see us sweat”. What might we be able to achieve if we could actually share our struggles so that we could take better care of ourselves and each other while pursuing our most daring ambitions?
This session draws on new research from Employee Benefit News and Quantum Health to reveal how employees and HR leaders view today’s healthcare benefits—and where the disconnects lie.
We’ll explore:
- What’s Being Offered: A look at current benefit designs and how well they meet employee needs.
- Trust in the System: How trust (or lack of it) among insurers, employers, and employees impacts benefit engagement and outcomes.
Walk away with actionable strategies to strengthen your benefits approach, close the perception gap, and help employees get more from their healthcare experience.
You may offer a world-class benefits package—but if employees don’t understand or engage with what’s available, it won’t move the needle on wellbeing, retention, or productivity. n this session, HR and benefits leaders will share strategies to ensure your workforce understands what’s available, how to access it, and why it matters. From creative year-round communication to personalized outreach and tech-enabled tools, learn how to clearly convey the value of your offerings and drive meaningful engagement across all employee groups.
Join Marathon Health for a timely conversation on how advanced primary care can help employers stay ahead of costly downstream health issues. We’ll explore how making primary care the first stop for employees—centered on prevention and whole-person care—can reduce avoidable ER visits, improve chronic condition management, and drive higher employee satisfaction. You’ll also hear real-world examples that show how investing in accessible, proactive care leads to measurable ROI and healthier workforces.
With rising healthcare costs putting pressure on both employers and employees, the challenge is clear: how can organizations maintain high-quality, competitive benefits without passing the financial burden onto their workforce? This session will explore actionable strategies for controlling healthcare spend while prioritizing employee well-being. Learn how employers are gaining greater visibility and control by moving away from traditional BUCA models and adopting self-funded approaches, direct primary care models, and other innovative solutions. Panelists will share how they’ve used data analytics, alternative funding models, and smart vendor negotiations to drive sustainable savings. You’ll hear real-world examples of organizations that have successfully reduced or maintained costs while enhancing benefits—and how they’re reinvesting those savings into programs that support employee health, retention, and long-term growth.
The session is designed to relieve tension, boost energy, and enhance focus. In just a few minutes, you’ll improve posture, reduce stiffness, and return feeling recharged and ready to engage.
Financial stress is one of the biggest challenges facing today’s workforce—impacting productivity, retention, and overall well-being. This interactive roundtable will explore how employers can build meaningful financial wellness programs that drive impact across generations and income levels.
We’ll begin with a brief overview of the current financial wellness landscape, including why it matters, how to gain leadership support, and ways to leverage existing benefits more effectively. Then, participants will engage in a peer-driven discussion covering strategies to close savings gaps, improve financial literacy, evaluate wellness partners, and boost engagement through effective communication.
Attendees will leave with actionable insights, real-world examples, and ideas for improving financial outcomes across their workforce.
Join your peers for an interactive roundtable on how employers can apply precision health strategies to deliver more inclusive, effective benefits. Dr. Washington will kick off with insights on measuring whole-person health and designing care solutions that truly meet employees where they are. From there, the conversation will open up for attendees to share challenges, successes, and practical ideas for closing care gaps and improving outcomes across all employee populations.
In the age of GLP-1s, balancing costs with providing access to weight care has become a challenge for benefits leaders. If coverage is made available, it could cost employers $10K per employee annually–a cost that skyrockets to $35K per family annually if coverage exists for employees and their dependents.
Igniting a culture of employee wellness that prioritizes preventative care, not reactive spending, shouldn’t be a balancing act. The long-term side effects of not treating obesity and its chronic conditions are far greater than the challenges resulting from GLP-1s. With the right tools, organizations can create a benefits design that improves lives while controlling costs.
In this session, Adele Feng, Director of Clinical Operations at Found, and Corey Gilchrist, VP of Total Rewards at Shamrock Foods Company will dive into:
- Cost containment measures and how to establish a strategy that controls spending in the long-term
- Real-world data from a case study built in partnership with Shamrock Foods Company that provides evidence on the impact of virtual weight care on obesity
- The role of compounded GLP-1s, clinical oversight, and metabolic health as forces shaping the weight care landscape
- Recommendations on how to build a benefits design that meets your strategic priorities.
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring three of Employee Benefit News’ 2025 Excellence in Benefits honorees—HR and benefits leaders who are redefining how organizations support their people.
This year, Employee Benefit News will honor standout benefits and HR leaders who are redefining what’s possible in the workplace. These individuals are implementing innovative, cost-effective programs and leveraging new technologies to support their employees—and move the industry forward.
Start the conference on a high note at our Opening Night Cocktail Reception celebrating Employee Benefit News’ Excellence in Benefits honorees. Join us for an evening of connection and celebration as we raise a glass to the HR and benefits leaders driving innovation and impact in their organizations. It’s the perfect chance to network, unwind, and honor the people shaping the future of workplace employee benefits.
In an era of heightened political and social tensions, workplace civility has never been more critical. In this candid fireside chat, SHRM Chief Human Resources Officer Jim Link joins EBN’s Alyssa Place to explore how HR and business leaders can foster a culture grounded in respect, empathy, and open dialogue.
Jim will share actionable strategies for promoting civil discourse across teams—including the importance of active listening, collaboration, curiosity, and constructive feedback. The conversation will also cover how to set expectations for behavior, encourage civic participation without partisanship, and build training programs and policies that support a more inclusive and communicative workplace.
Key takeaways include:
- Why civility is a foundational element of healthy workplace culture
- How to practice and model effective, respectful communication
- Ways leaders can support civic engagement while remaining neutral
- Practical tools and approaches to foster empathy, trust, and collaboration
Join us for an inspiring and timely conversation on the power of words, actions, and leadership in shaping a more respectful workplace.
The pharmacy landscape is shifting rapidly—and employers are feeling the pressure. From skyrocketing drug prices to the rollout of game-changing treatments like GLP-1s, benefits leaders must find ways to balance innovation with affordability. This session offers a timely look at the current state of pharmacy benefits, with a focus on high-cost drugs, biosimilars, and the growing role of specialty and generic medications. Experts will share practical strategies to optimize your pharmacy benefit design, improve cost transparency, and help employees access the medications they need without breaking the bank.
Recharge and connect during our morning break session. This brief intermission provides the perfect opportunity to grab a cup of coffee, network with peers and prepare for the day’s engaging sessions.
Today’s workforce spans multiple generations, each with its own unique set of values, priorities, and expectations—especially when it comes to employee benefits. What appeals to a Gen Z employee might not resonate with a Baby Boomer, and vice versa. So how can employers meet the diverse needs of their teams without creating an overly complex benefits package?
This session explores how moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach and embracing personalized benefits can create a more inclusive, flexible, and effective strategy. Learn how tailored offerings can empower employees to choose the benefits that matter most to them—leading to higher satisfaction, better engagement, and a stronger overall culture.
Women’s health is not one-size-fits-all, and it shouldn’t be for your benefits strategy either. From fertility and family planning to menopause, mental health, chronic conditions, and preventive care, a growing number of employers are recognizing the need to support women throughout every stage of life.
This session will explore what it truly means to offer comprehensive women’s health benefits, including the latest trends, evolving employee expectations, and the impact of inclusive, whole-person care on recruitment, retention, and overall well-being. Experts and employers will share what’s working, what’s missing, and how to close the gaps in your current offering.
Walk away with actionable insights to support the women in your workforce better—and build a benefits strategy that reflects their real needs.
Join a healthcare professional as they discuss how employers can support the management of obesity within their organizations. This is an opportunity for benefits decision-makers to learn from an obesity specialist regarding the unmet need of obesity and treatment opportunities for employees living with obesity.
The program will also explore the impact of living with obesity on employees at work, such as productivity, absenteeism, and disability, along with the outcomes on annual health spending.
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions at the conclusion of the program.
In today’s competitive talent market, standard health, dental, vision, and 401(k) plans just don’t cut it. To attract high-impact hires—especially those elusive “unicorn” candidates—employers need to get creative. This session will explore how organizations are going beyond the basics to differentiate themselves through innovative, meaningful benefits. From lifestyle stipends to mental health support and personalized perks, learn what today’s top talent is really looking for—and how to make your benefits package a true competitive advantage.
This fast-paced, interactive session is built to challenge how we think about employer-sponsored health plans. Whether you’re fully insured or self-funded, too many employers are making decisions that benefit insurers more than their own teams—and they often don’t even realize it.
If you’re wondering whether your benefits are helping you attract top talent or pushing them away, this session will help you find out—and start fixing it.
What you’ll learn:
- Why common health plan solutions often backfire – driving up costs for both employers and employees
- How to design benefits that deliver more value while controlling medical and Rx spend
- The hidden challenges in managing health plans – and how to overcome them
- Are your health plans a magnet for top talent or driving them away?
Fuel up on insightful dialogue and connect with fellow professionals who share your goals during this networking break.
What happens when the people responsible for designing and advising on employee health plans find themselves on the other side—as patients navigating the very system they help build?
In this powerful closing keynote, top benefits advisors and an industry expert share their personal experiences facing musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions—some of the most debilitating and costly issues in today’s workforce. Despite their insider knowledge, they still encountered the same pain, delays, financial stress, and insurance obstacles as any plan member would.
Through these real-life stories, attendees will gain a firsthand look at the challenges of navigating MSK care and learn how these experiences reshaped their views on benefit design, pain management, and patient advocacy. From understanding the critical role of cash-pay options to uncovering flaws in access and coverage, this session offers practical takeaways for employers, brokers, and benefit leaders committed to closing the gap between plan design and patient experience.
Prepare to leave inspired, challenged—and more informed—about what it truly means to walk in your employees’ shoes.
