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.

Woman, gray hair and glasses, reading piece of mail at table, smiling

Benefit communication

How this platform uses direct mail to boost benefits engagement

Sending physical mailers about benefits boasts a 70-90% open rate, compared to emails and other virtual methods.

By Lee Hafner

August 19

Woman writing on board, two other employees watching, smiling

Employee benefits

At Ally, ‘back to school’ is for employees, too

Helping workers manage their previous debts and future goals boosts internal mobility, retention and satisfaction.

By Lee Hafner

August 14

Female leader sitting at head of table, back to camera

Workplace culture

This female CEO’s best advice: Stop apologizing

Heidi Golledge fosters a hard-working, respectful culture by setting expectations early, keeping communication open and enforcing a strict "no jerks" policy.

By Lee Hafner

August 13

Man using credit card to pay by phone

Employee benefits

A credit-building financial wellness benefit: Interest-free credit cards

BrightDime's partnership with Augie helps employees understand, build and fix their credit score, an essential piece of financial independence.

By Lee Hafner

August 12

This AI-powered PT benefit is improving MSK outcomes

LainaHealth's use of computer vision technology gives employees the ability to engage with their PT sessions anytime, anyplace, for half the cost.

By Lee Hafner

August 8

Employees talking and smiling

Employee benefits

Leader on leave? This platform helps fill the gap

Mother Cover provides manager and executive coverage when employees take time off, ensuring businesses don't miss a beat.

By Lee Hafner

August 6

Adults sitting in classroom, instructor standing in front, speaking

Professional development

Bright Horizons’ guide to implementing education benefits

Research from EdAssist by Bright Horizons shows a high demand for learning opportunities. Here's what leaders should consider.

By Lee Hafner

August 5

Nurse checking heartbeat of older patient laying on couch in home

Employee benefits

How this CPO selects benefits for a workforce of 8k healthcare pros

By understanding the social determinants of her company's healthcare work, Compassus's CPO has been able to construct a more impactful benefits package.

By Lee Hafner

July 31

Adult woman in gap and gown, holding diploma and smiling, graduating from college

Benefits in Action

Thousands of employees are going to college for free at this health tech company

Medtronic partnered with InStride to design customized skills-based opportunities for workers, offering over 800 pathways to college degrees, courses and certifications.

By Lee Hafner

July 30

Employees talking, sitting together in break room, drinking coffee, socializing

Workplace culture

How to preserve human connection in a tech-driven workplace

Employees are turning to tech before their colleagues to solve work problems. Can work still foster opportunities for socialization?

By Lee Hafner

July 29

Woman sitting on sofa, speaking with therapist

The right employee benefits make BIPOC mental health a priority

As BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month comes to an end, it's a good time for benefit managers to ensure their wellness benefits are inclusive.

By Lee Hafner

July 25

Stack of books with college cap

Politics and policy

How Trump’s new law overhauls student loans and 529s for benefit managers

New permanent tax exclusions and expanded funds usage give benefit leaders the opportunity to bolster their financial wellness strategies.

By Lee Hafner

July 24

Mom sitting with daughter whose arm is in cast, next to doctor writing

Manager Diaries

Canary’s founder explains the power of an emergency grant benefit

Rachel Schneider wanted to help people when they needed it most, and now employers can, too.

By Lee Hafner

July 23

Man putting product in basket, shopping

Employee benefits

It’s time to remind employees to use their FSA

By amping up communication around eligible purchases, benefit leaders can make sure funds aren't left on the table.

By Lee Hafner

July 22

Man pouring coffee into mug

Employee benefits

Free lunch? Not under Trump’s new law

A new report from ezCater highlights why benefit leaders need to consider how important food and beverage perks are to their organization.

By Lee Hafner

July 17

Man with hand on face, sitting in front of computer, distressed, tired

Workforce management

How micromanaging can negatively impact your benefit strategy

An organizational psychologist explains how to identify signs of this common leadership habit, and how employee offerings can fix it.

By Lee Hafner

July 17

Woman sitting at desk, holding hands to sides of face

Employee benefits

Dayforce partnership with WellTheory offers specialized autoimmune care

Helping employees understand and manage their symptoms means lower health costs and a better quality of life.

By Lee Hafner

July 15

Feet on scale with measuring tape around ankles, weight loss

Employee benefits

GLP-1s aren’t a long-term solution — What your health benefits need

Medication paired with behavioral change support gives employers the opportunity to provide a more well-rounded approach to weight management.

By Lee Hafner

July 15

Empty seat in hospital

Politics and policy

How Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act will increase employer healthcare costs

Cuts to Medicaid will have a broad impact. Here's how benefit leaders can prepare.

By Lee Hafner

July 10

Group of kids with hands connected

Benefits in Action

At AT&T, summer camp comes to corporate headquarters

A partnership with Bright Horizons allows Dallas employees to drop their children off for days filled with learning and fun, all at a dramatic discount.

By Lee Hafner

July 9