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.

Benefits in Action

How Twin Health helps employees get diabetes under control for good

By helping employees develop healthier lifestyle habits, employers can see a reduction in cost while improving people's lives.

By Lee Hafner

October 1

Group of employees in office talking

Employee benefits

When employees at Garner Health share their opinions, leaders listen

Direct communication strategies give leaders insight, while fostering professional growth.

By Lee Hafner

September 30

Two male coworkers looking at paper, one explaining

Professional development

New research reveals ROI of education benefits on business outcomes

Guild found those taking part in these programs are more likely to stick with their employer and share their knowledge with others.

By Lee Hafner

September 26

Steelcase employees working at global headquarters

Manager Diaries

Steelcase’s CPO uses office design to amplify her team’s skills

The people leader at a global office furniture design company shares why the right work setting and culture can foster better teams.

By Lee Hafner

September 24

Woman sitting at desk thinking about vacation, wearing hat and sunglasses

Employee benefits

New survey reveals the best employee benefits to beat stress

Workers say time off and flexibility are the best anti-stress offerings, but need outside encouragement to use them.

By Lee Hafner

September 23

Couple sitting on couch looking at laptop, smilling, woman pointing at screen

Open enrollment 2025

Flimp’s new tool helps spouses compare their health plans

The platform's AI-powered comparison feature makes selecting the right plan easier for people when they each have access to employer-sponsored healthcare.

By Lee Hafner

September 19

Man working on laptop, smiling

How this EAP achieves a 30% engagement rate for mental health support

Journey reaches out to employees to stay on top of their wellness needs and be an established resource if a crisis does occur.

By Lee Hafner

September 18

Two employees sitting outside, eating, smiling

Manager Diaries

How the leader of DoorDash for Business makes feeding a workforce easy

Katie Egan discusses her strategy for an amazing customer experience and how empathy and connection drive success.

By Lee Hafner

September 17

What this professional athlete’s mental health journey can teach the workplace

Jasmine Blocker uses her own experiences to reduce the stigma and speak out about seeking support.

By Lee Hafner

September 16

Women talking and looking at paper

Free legal advice helps employees navigate serious medical conditions

Nonprofit Triage Cancer can answer questions and guide workers through next steps, as well as educate benefit leaders to better assist their workforce.

By Lee Hafner

September 12

Woman working on laptop, smiling

Employee benefits

AI gives benefit managers smarter insights into employee needs

Arthur One's Vibe technology connects with employees to gather insights, ask relevant questions, and produce actionable reports for leadership.

By Lee Hafner

September 10

Mom and daughter picking out item at pharmacy

Employee benefits

3 ways employees can use HSAs for back-to-school expenses

From contact lenses to doctor visits, HSAs can cover dependents' health and wellness products and services.

By Lee Hafner

September 8

Two men in construction gear talking on job site

Employee retention

This benefit platform provides social workers as an employee offering

Beam partners with companies to offer guidance on day-to-day challenges that can hinder the ability to be present and productive at work.

By Lee Hafner

September 4

Excellence in benefits 2025

How Walmart’s VP of well-being is transforming healthcare for millions

2025 Excellence in Benefits awardee Lisa Woods shares the health and wellness initiatives changing the way people receive and communicate about care.

By Lee Hafner

September 3

Woman stretching at home, using laptop

These technology-driven healthcare benefits are improving access to care

Healthcare companies are using artificial intelligence and other advanced tech tools that improve outcomes for employees.

By Lee Hafner

September 2

Younger man, son, giving father a cup of tea

Employee benefits

This benefit helps leaders confront common caregiving challenges

A solution that provides guidance to universal caregiving responsibilities can protect employees' physical, mental and financial well-being.

By Lee Hafner

August 29

This at-home cardiac health kit increases access to preventative care

By offering a quick and simple testing option, benefit leaders can set employees on a path to better health.

By Lee Hafner

August 27

Excellence in benefits 2025

How Hyatt’s VP of benefits sets employees up for long-term financial success

2025 Excellence in Benefits awardee Dawn Beaudin shares highlights from her 32-year career and the ways tech is changing how people engage with offerings.

By Lee Hafner

August 27

Two women talking, sitting at table in office

Employee benefits

How benefit managers can navigate open enrollment amid OBBBA

From healthcare to education to retirement, here are some of the major ways this new legislation may affect your offerings and the open enrollment process itself.

By Lee Hafner

August 25

Man pointing to computer, sitting next to teenager in office

Professional development

Why benefit leaders are partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship programs

The long-term volunteer opportunity boosts job satisfaction and pride in the workplace while setting youth up for future success.

By Lee Hafner

August 21