Ashley Sowa looks at every decision through an employee and business lens.
"I believe the best HR leaders understand that you don't have to choose between taking care of employees and doing what's right for the organization," said Sowa, senior vice president and head of human resources for Hanmi Bank. "Some of the most successful initiatives I've been involved with have achieved both goals."
Sowa has built a total rewards model at Hanmi Bank that complements midmarket salaries with best-in-class, affordable benefits. This strategy has enabled the organization to attract talent from larger banks while maintaining strong employee retention.
Her approach focuses on benefits that make a difference for the greatest number of employees, ensuring every dollar spent delivers real value. Under Sowa's leadership, that strategy has paid off: Hanmi's enrollment rate has climbed to an impressive 91%.
"Throughout my career, I've focused on creating programs that employees genuinely value while ensuring they remain sustainable and aligned with the organization's goals," she said. "I am fortunate to work with an outstanding HR team and supportive executive leadership who share that philosophy. The success of our benefits strategy is truly a team effort, and I have been lucky to partner with leaders who understand the importance of investing in employees while maintaining strong financial discipline."
Sowa's strategy stands out for its focus on simplicity and smart cost management. Rather than chasing expensive benefit trends, she takes a more deliberate approach — using voluntary benefits to negotiate carrier discounts and reinvesting those savings into core offerings. The result is broad, high-quality benefits and exceptionally affordable healthcare coverage for employees.
"I am most proud of the continued evolution of our overall benefits strategy," she said. "Rather than focusing on a single program, we have worked to ensure our entire benefits package remains competitive, affordable, and relevant to the needs of our employees."
Ashely will be honored at EBN's Benefits at Work conference in September, which you can
