Lee Hafner

Lee Hafner

Editor

Connect with Lee

Lee joined the EBN team in 2022, and covers areas including caregiving, employee health and wellness, healthcare innovation, and company culture. She created EBN’s popular Benefits in Action and Manager Diaries series, interviewing top leaders from Walmart, AT&T, Aflac, DoorDash, and EY. Her reporting on EBN’s podcast, Perk Up!, earned the team a regional silver award from the AZBEE Award of Excellence in 2025. She has also interviewed several winners of EBN’s Excellence in Benefits Awards, including top CEOs and CHROs from Hyatt and Hendry Marine Industries.

Her favorite parts of the job are connecting with people who are passionate about providing great benefits and a positive work environment, and writing about strategies and tools that help them do this. Previously, she taught high school and middle school, and worked as a freelance writer in healthcare and advertising. She has a BA in English from George Mason University.

Manager Diaries

Justworks’ CPO trains her team to prioritize their well-being

Jeri Doris explains how open communication, kindness and curiosity create a resilient people team that thrives in today’s evolving workplace.

By Lee Hafner

September 3

Two employees helping each other

Benefit management

How personalized healthcare guidance can stretch premium dollars

MetLife’s president of U.S. business shares why improving employees’ benefits literacy results in them making smarter choices for their health and financial wellness.

By Lee Hafner

September 2

Woman speaking to nurse, doctor, sitting in office

Employee benefits

How this nonprofit built award-worthy healthcare benefits

In addition to finding success with a self-funded model, an in-house program gives Fello's employees access to cost-free primary and urgent care.

By Lee Hafner

August 27

Two employees talking, looking at paperwork, helping

Employee benefits

How Bank of America helps employees handle life’s biggest events

The company's Life Event Services team guides colleagues through resources and benefits that make major milestones easier to manage, and has worked on more than 700,000 cases over 12 years.

By Lee Hafner

August 26

Employees talking, nice office, drinking coffee, collaborating

Benefit strategies

The benefits that make office life more enticing

At AI-powered security company Verkada, offerings like backup care, commuter assistance and lots of in-office perks make it less complicated and more appealing to come into work.

By Lee Hafner

August 24

Group of employees sitting at table, talking

How procurement services can lighten healthcare spend

Bringing a procurement partner into the benefits planning process can offer greater insight and negotiation power, helping to reduce overall costs.

By Lee Hafner

August 21

Woman checking email on computer

Benefit communication

When and where you send open-enrollment information matters

Research shows a well-timed email is critical when seeking a quick turnaround, and that is especially true with urgent benefits documentation.

By Lee Hafner

August 20

Insulin bottles, diabetes medication

Benefits in Action

How Lendmark’s CHRO is getting ahead of diabetes

Kelley Daviss brought in Twin Health and heard great things from employees — then an unexpected diagnosis led her to experience the metabolic health platform's impact herself.

By Lee Hafner

August 19

Open office space, employees working together

Employee retention

At this childcare center, time off is mandated to ensure employees unplug

At parent support company Haven, CEO Britt Riley offers benefits that make employees feel taken care of.

By Lee Hafner

August 18

GLP-1 medication with money underneath; expensive

Employee benefits

What to know about GLP-1 demand, expense and alternatives

Multiple experts weigh in on the challenges and considerations benefit leaders need to keep in mind as they make decisions about medication coverage.

By Lee Hafner

August 14

Man on video call, earbuds in, smiling

Professional development

Virtual mentorship blends confidentiality with real-time expertise

An analysis of career conversations on Reddit revealed workers often feel stuck. Well-matched experts can offer guidance and motivate them to move forward.

By Lee Hafner

August 14

Woman hugging shoulders of mom, smiling

Financial wellness

How employers can help women avoid the ‘daughter tax’

Women take on the majority of caregiving responsibilities for aging parents, often putting their financial futures at risk.

By Lee Hafner

August 13

Man leaning on counter of bakery, employee, looking at tablet, smiling, small business

Employee benefits

How smaller businesses can keep their benefits cost-effective and competitive

Smaller companies don't need to outspend to compete, says Justworks SVP, if they focus on these particular strategies that go a long way.

By Lee Hafner

August 12

Mom and son walking to daycare, school, smiling

Employment and benefit-related legislation

How enhanced 45F childcare tax credit can increase your benefits buying power

As benefit decisions get finalized, childcare offerings may be more within reach than companies think.

By Lee Hafner

August 7

Group of employees, one raising hand

Manager Diaries

How this Prudential exec blends business strategy, culture and community goals

Michael Estep, (president of group insurance) discusses the importance of improving customer experiences, team communication, and making benefits a year-round priority.

By Lee Hafner

August 5

Woman talking with doctor, virtual appointment on laptop

Women on GLP-1s and hormone therapy seek better clinical support

Metabolism-management drugs and hormone therapy are growing in popularity, but women need expert clinical oversight in conjunction with medication access.

By Lee Hafner

August 4

Scale, weights, apples and tape measure, healthy eating, weight loss tools

Health and wellness

With or without GLP-1s, your business needs a metabolic health strategy

To truly flip the script on metabolic disease, benefit leaders must build a cost-efficient, supportive plan for employees and their business.

By Lee Hafner

July 31

Workforce management

Don’t lose high performers to burnout, urges NFL player turned leadership speaker

Former pro linebacker and Army officer Caleb Campbell shares his experience managing pressure and why long-term success requires comprehensive support.

By Lee Hafner

July 30

Young adult man wearing glasses and green shirt speaking with female doctor

How cultivating employee-PCP relationships improves health, reduces costs

Providing better access to primary care providers is key to cutting down on workers' serious medical conditions and encouraging a better quality of life.

By Lee Hafner

July 28

Two employees walking down steps, talking

Employee benefits

The benefits that retain high performers, part 2

At Sun Life, offerings like paid family medical leave, sabbaticals and flexible work arrangements set top talent up to thrive.

By Lee Hafner

July 21