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 smiling, looking at laptop

Prudential’s new wellness hub simplifies benefits access

With life, absence, and disability products along with wellness offerings in one place, people can find what they need, when they need it.

By Lee Hafner

October 16

Employees looking at papers on wall

EY’s data-driven strategies give managers a leg up

A combination of listening and operational data allows the company to identify what is best for employee well-being and team performance.

By Lee Hafner

October 15

Little girl running to meet her mom after school

Workplace culture

Creating the right environment for your working parents

Knowing what matters to employees, along with the right benefits, go a long way in encouraging moms and dads to stay.

By Lee Hafner

October 10

Man sitting outside talking on phone

Health and wellness

4 ways to make wellness a part of the workday

A physical therapist and wellness advocate shares ways to stay healthy and focused throughout the workday.

By Lee Hafner

October 8

Doctor showing X-ray to patient

Financial wellness

Expect the unexpected: How this company helps employees through hardship

Banyan Software has started an employee resource fund to ease the stress when unpredictable life events strike.

By Lee Hafner

October 7

Man working on laptop computer, face close to the screen

Professional development

From culture to career development, employees need support

Organizations that work to connect, coach and offer opportunities to enhance tech skills are setting themselves apart.

By Lee Hafner

October 4

Man sitting in front of laptop, holding glasses in hand and pinching nose, stressed

Resume Genius expert shares 3 tips to avoid job-hunting frustration

Respondents reveal what upsets them most about job searching, and a career expert offers advice on how to make better progress.

By Lee Hafner

October 3

Manager Diaries

This isolved exec strives for greatness in himself and his team

Barry Gauch, VP, strategic alliances & partnerships, talks leadership inspiration, family commitment, and how coaching builds employee commitment.

By Lee Hafner

October 2

Man sitting on yoga mat stretching looking at laptop computer

Employee benefits

Sword Health’s innovative approach to healthcare billing

CEO Virgílio Bento explains how AI and a dedication to patient care have allowed the company to adopt outcome-based pricing.

By Lee Hafner

October 2

Woman sitting at desk, typing on laptop, smiling

Professional development

Unique corporate roles are challenging. External support can help.

The Chief of Staff Network was created for executives who find themselves in need of professional development and career advice.

By Lee Hafner

September 30

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Employee benefits

Creating benefits that care for the whole employee

An expert from Cigna Healthcare explains why, along with individualized offerings, budget and communication plans are vital to benefits' success.

By Lee Hafner

September 25

Job interview, women shaking hand, smiling

These 5 unexpected interview questions are a good way to assess talent

Hiring managers are getting to know job applicants in more creative ways. Here's what they're looking to find out.

By Lee Hafner

September 24

Leader talking to table of employees

Excellence in Benefits 2024

Where the best HR leaders see themselves in five years

Shaping future leadership, building the best benefits and staying ahead of the tech curve — these executives are excited for what's to come.

By Lee Hafner

September 19

Benefits in Action

T-Mobile employees spent a month planting trees, packing meals and saving lives

T-Mobile's Magenta Giving Month gives workers the opportunity to support causes they care about.

By Lee Hafner

September 11

Woman speaking to a group of professionals

These resources can help workers recover from substance use disorders

September is National Recovery Month. Is your workplace a supportive environment for people who need help with substance use disorders?

By Lee Hafner

September 10

Mom helping daughter with backpack in front of school

Employee benefits

3 leaders share their favorite parental benefits during the back to school season

Flexibility and child care assistance topped everyone's list of the ways to help employees manage their professional and parenting obligations.

By Lee Hafner

September 6

Excellence in Benefits 2024

2024’s Excellence in Benefits winners

Meet the 25 HR and benefits leaders being honored for their efforts in compassion, innovation and equality.

By Lee Hafner

September 3

Veterinarian with dog at vet clinic

Better Tech, Better Benefits

Subtle, smart tech helps this vet staffing service put its people first

Behind-the-scenes tools make it easy for Evette's staffers to communicate, reward and retain their veterinarians and vet technicians.

By Lee Hafner

August 29

Mother playing blocks with child on bed

Benefits in Action

Xero’s family-building benefits go beyond fertility support

Two employees at the software platform share their experience with employer-sponsored benefit Carrot Fertility.

By Lee Hafner

August 28

Dad and baby with doctor, doctor listening to baby's heart

Employee benefits

A benefits expert’s advice: View healthcare as an investment, not an expense

Peter Freska, a partner at fintech and insurance firm Acrisure, explains the importance of establishing long-term benefits goals, and how teaming up with an adviser can help.

By Lee Hafner

August 27