Excellence in Benefits
Our annual Excellence in Benefits Awards celebrates exceptional leaders who are continuing to innovate and evolve in the complex and demanding world of workplace benefits.
Meet the 2026 Excellence in Benefits winners
This year's class of honorees represents the pinnacle of achievement and innovation in an evolving field.
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The health and welfare leader and 2026 Excellence in Benefits honoree is guiding the bank in navigating them all.
By Danielle LeeEditor-in-Chief -
The 2026 Excellence in Benefits winner is leading the insurance company's efforts to close the preventative care gap and personalize the employee experience.
By Danielle LeeEditor-in-Chief -
The employee benefits unit manager for the Colorado Department of Corrections views her role as a critical point of trust between the organization and its employees.
By Danielle LeeEditor-in-Chief -
As senior benefits manager at Lakeshore Learning Materials, DeVenuta implemented new systems and processes.
By Danielle LeeEditor-in-Chief -
The benefits strategy manager at Koch is tackling some of the biggest issues in healthcare today.
By Lee HafnerEditor -
The assistant vice president of total rewards at Montefiore Einstein built a unified well-being brand and experience.
By Lee HafnerEditor -
The employee benefits director for the City of Milwaukee is always looking for a better way to do things.
By Danielle LeeEditor-in-Chief -
The human resources director at the Texas Civil Rights Project applies the lessons she learned from the for-profit sector.
By Danielle LeeEditor-in-Chief -
The senior manager of health and welfare benefits at BMO acts as a strategic connector across the organization.
Associate Editor -
Taco Bell's people and culture leader is giving employees access to online courses via its Tacos & Tuition benefit.
By Danielle LeeEditor-in-Chief -
The benefits customer support supervisor at the University of Pittsburgh believes that how you deliver information is just as important as the information itself.
Reporter -
The executive director of the City of Milwaukee Deferred Compensation Plan wants to meaningfully improve employees' financial security.
By Danielle LeeEditor-in-Chief -
The senior director of people rewards at home-based care company Compassus prioritizes seamless integration of the company's benefits programs.
By Lee HafnerEditor -
The chief administrative officer at Aflac views benefits not as "standalone functions," but "levers for driving long-term value."
By Lee HafnerEditor -
The SVP and head of human resources for Hanmi Bank focuses on benefits that make a difference for the greatest number of employees.
Reporter
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Jennifer Weinstein shares stories of success
The VP of benefits at Albertsons Companies is a self-described storyteller.
By Danielle Lee
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Julie Blume leads the battle against burnout
The director of total rewards at Ropes & Gray made it her mission to prioritize the mental health of a typically overworked profession.
By Danielle Lee
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How this benefit leader used a marketing tool to rethink his strategy
BambooHR's head of total rewards, Alex Bertin, has gotten to the bottom of employees' benefit needs and how to meet them.
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Leaders from Walmart, Google and SHRM speak out on employee benefits
Top executives will be gathering for EBN's annual Benefits at Work conference to share their wisdom on benefits that move the needle.
By Alyssa Place
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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